Joint media release: New banana variety 20 years in the making

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Minister for Small Business, the Hon Julie Collins MP
Assistant Minister for Education, Assistant Minister for Regional Development, Assistant Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator the Hon Anthony Chisholm
Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, Assistant Minister for Indigenous Health, the Hon Ged Kearney MP

Australia’s place in the US $20 billion global banana market has been safeguarded with a new genetically modified banana being granted approval for commercial release and consumption.

The QCAV-4 variety of the Cavendish banana has been developed by the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) to counteract the effects of Panama Disease or Tropical Race 4 (TR4), a fungal disease that starves bananas of their nutrients eventually killing the plant.

Following 20 years of development and rigorous scientific assessment to ensure it is safe for consumption, QCAV-4 received final regulatory approval from Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) earlier this year.

The approval comes at an important time as the disease impacts banana industries across the world, including here in Australia which consumes around five million bananas per day.

With TR4 estimated to have the potential to impact 80 per cent of global banana production, Australian researchers have made a world-first breakthrough to protect local banana farms and secure our food production systems.

While there is no immediate demand locally to bring QCAV-4 to market due to our biosecurity system successfully keeping Panama Disease from devastating the Australian banana industry, there are a number of countries with an increasing need to find a sustainable, long-term solution to the ravages of TR4.  

Genetically modified labelling provisions would apply to food derived from QCAV-4, so consumers can make informed choices should the banana be commercially produced and sold.

The team behind its creation are now turning their attention to developing a non-genetically modified, gene-edited version of the product that can resist TR4 and other diseases, continuing to future-proof one of the world’s favourite fruits.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Julie Collins:

“This is an important milestone for researchers at QUT and a significant development in the fight against potential threats to Australian biosecurity.

“Panama disease has caused havoc in the Philippines and China, spreading quickly in South-East and south Asia, parts of Africa and now South America.

“Once in the soil the disease can remain for up to 50 years, which can be devastating for producers and consumers.

“This has been a long process for the scientists at QUT, and the final approval is vindication of their work, skill and patience. This is a major Australian achievement worth celebrating.

“Strengthening biosecurity protections for Australian produce is one of the Albanese Labor Government's key agricultural priorities and this milestone is another important step forward.”

Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and Senator for Queensland, Anthony Chisholm:

“The impact of this modification will be felt around the world, but especially here in Australia where Cavendish bananas make up 97 per cent of the bananas produced, and around 95 per cent of those produced here in Queensland.

“If TR4 were to spread extensively here, it would devastate our farming communities. That’s why it’s great to see Queensland researchers leading the way, yet again, to provide our producers with a scientific safety net for their crops.  

“This milestone is also an excellent demonstration of what’s possible when our universities work with industry to develop solutions to the global issues facing the agriculture sector.”

Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care Ged Kearney: 

“The FSANZ approval should provide peace of mind for both industry and consumers.  

“Australians love bananas. Ensuring our local growers can continue to supply delicious and nutritious bananas will help Australians make healthy dietary choices and support our local economy.”  

“FSANZ rigorous safety assessment assures us that this banana is as safe as those already grown in Australia.”

Quotes attributable to QUT Distinguished Professor James Dale:

“Our team has been working on developing and growing GM Cavendish bananas for more than 20 years.

“Apart from providing a genuine protection against Panama Disease TR4 for the world’s export industry, QCAV-4 is a safety net for Australia’s $1.3 billion industry.”