The surprise discovery of an exotic banana variety on the New South Wales' north coast is thought to be a major threat to the Australian industry. An established stand of seed bananas has been found in remote bush land near the town of Nimbin.

Arthur Akehurst from the Department of Primary Industries, Victoria, says the nine square kilometre stand of plants could be a host for diseases. Banana growers have offered to pay for the chemical control of the inedible banana, and have contacted the 40 private landowners involved to get their permission.

“If by any chance an exotic disease was to get into these bananas, that would be a major problem for the industry, because it would be very hard to control as the area is so remote,” said Akehurst.

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