Growers wary over latest Philippines banana import plan

Banana growers say the latest plan to allow imports from the Philippines will not work. A draft report by Biosecurity Australia recommends accepting bananas from areas in the Philippines that have low pest problems. It is the third report on imports since 1999, with the others rejected because of mathematical errors. Australian Banana Growers Council (ABGC) spokesman Len Collins says the latest report is an improvement, but the risk of bringing in disease is still too great. "The area of low pest prevalence - I don't believe it's practical and I don't believe it can be policed properly. That's my main concern," he said.