Genetically modified TR4-resistant banana approved for consumption in Australia

The Australian government has issued Queensland University of Technology (QUT) a licence to commercially release QCAV-4, a genetically modified (GM) variety of Cavendish banana that is highly resistant to tropical race 4 (TR4). Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has also notified the Food Ministers’ Meeting (FMM) that it has approved QCAV-4 as suitable for human consumption. The FMM, made up of ministers from Australian state and territory governments and the Australian and New Zealand governments, has 60 days to either ratify FSANZ’s decision or request a review. The QCAV-4 banana is the world’s first GM banana to be approved for commercial production and also the first Australian GM fruit approved for growing in Australia. QCAV-4 offers a potential safety net against the devastating TR4 which threatens the global US$20bn banana industry. QUT vice-chancellor Margaret Sheil said this was a significant milestone for the QCAV-4 research team at QUT, where the Banana ...