Banana freckle (Phyllosticta cavendishii) - 9 February 2023
On 9 February 2023, the National Management Group (NMG) met to consider the response to the Emergency Plant Pest (EPP) Phyllosticta cavendishii (banana freckle) in the Northern Territory.
The NMG endorsed a revised response plan to complete eradication and proof of freedom and agreed to increase the upper limit on expenditure to $5.5 million. This replaces the initial six-month response plan that NMG agreed to on 22 July 2022 after the incursion was first detected.
The response plan is being nationally cost-shared under the Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed (EPPRD).
Banana freckle is a serious threat to the banana industry as it reduces the productivity of banana plants. The disease reduces the amount of healthy leaf area and affects fruit quality and appearance. Further information about banana freckle and the response is available.
If you live in Northern Territory and think you have a banana plant showing signs of banana freckle, please contact the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881.