The ban on growing bananas in Australia’s Northern Territory (NT) will be lifted in July after the territory was declared banana freckle-free.
The NT government announced the end of the ban on 18 June, which was part of the pest eradication programme established four years ago.
The six banana quarantine zones in the NT will now be abolished, with permits no longer needed to buy and plant bananas.
Some 300 properties will be still be tested, according to NT News, but NT primary industry minister Ken Vowles said the announcement of the ban was something for banana growers to celebrate.
Banana freckle disease is a fungus that destroys both commercial and backyard banana plants, reducing the yield and health of the plants.
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