The Queensland state of Australia has banned farmers and travellers from bringing banana into the state, as part of its effort to prevent the spread of a disease that destroys crops.
This legislative change, which was announced by Agriculture Minister John McVeigh, comes after a damaging fungal disease known as banana freckle was detected on fruit in the Northern Territory. The disease was found in fruit at two non-commercial properties.
Northern Territory Primary Industry Minister Willem Westra Van Holthe was quoted by the ABC as saying that it is a sensible move by Queensland to impose the restrictions.
"My department has been talking with the Queensland department and we are collaborating," Van Holthe added.
Currently, several Territory properties are being evaluated and a control base has been established to limit the outbreak. No commercial banana plantations have been affected till date.
