Katter: Go bananas over imports
GROWERS and businesses are calling on Far Northerners to wear yellow tomorrow and take to the streets to protest against the importation of Filipino bananas.
The plea comes after a crisis meeting held at El Arish on Tuesday where more than 300 farmers, business people and community members vented their frustration at Biosecurity Australia.
The agency, charged with protecting Australia from pests and diseases, sparked outraged early this month when it gave the green light to imported bananas.
There are fears the decision could pose a significant threat to the region's $350 million banana industry and undermine more than 6000 jobs.
Protest organiser and Kennedy MP Bob Katter said yesterday no one in the region would escape the impacts if the Far North banana industry collapsed.
"There is not a single person from hotel cleaners to IT specialists that will not feel pain and suffer a flow-on effect to their job," he said.
"We need to fight this. If we fight, we might win but if we don't fight, we will lose."
Cassowary Coast Mayor Bill Shannon said the region produced 90 per cent of Australia’s bananas and the Far North would have to bear cost on its own.
"Typically, free trade issues are borne across larger regions," he said.
"A respected Cairns economist has described the impact of banana imports on the region as worse than the impact caused by international flights to the region being pulled.
"The Federal Government must be made to care about the regional effects of its policy decision."
Innisfail Banana Growers Association Mark Nucifora said tomorrow’s march was a chance for Far Northerners concerned about the region’s future to stand up and be counted.
"We need to show the Government that it’s going to have a detrimental effect to banana growers, industry and the community." he said.
"Biosecurity has not taken our science seriously, which shows the threat of pests and diseases is real.
"Now we have an opportunity to make a statement and we want everyone to be there."
The rally kicks-off at Munro Martin Park in Cairns at 1.30pm and will finish at Fogarty Park.
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Not happy: Brumby's staff member Denise Zadeji at Innisfail is calling on all Far Northerners to attend a rally tomorrow to object to the import of bananas.
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