Bats destroy the harvest of bananas and berries in New South Wales

Banana grower Mick Gentle, who produces Lady Finger bananas in Bonville, has encountered bats getting under protective fruit sets on inflorescence and staying in the banana plantation during the daytime. According to him, in his 36 years of farming, this is the first time he has observed such behavior and scale of damage.

Raspberry and blackberry producers on the Coffs Coast have also suffered from the invasion of livestock animals. Executive Director of Berries Australia Rachel Mackenzie reported that starving animals penetrate protective tunnels and destroy berries. Animals dying in netting create occupational health and safety issues for workers. Due to the risk of fatal lyssavirus, bats must not be touched, so farmers need assistance from the state government for the safe removal of the animals, as association members and volunteers cannot cope with this on their own.

A spokesperson for the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water noted that effective methods of plant protection include protective netting, fruit sets, sonic deterrents, and lighting systems. Installing netting at the ends of tunnels requires additional expenses from farmers.

In the Hunter Valley, Lewis Drayton from Ivanhoe Wines has not yet recorded bats in the vineyards this growing season, but anticipates their appearance in January if there is a deficit of habitual food. In 2017, the region's wine industry already suffered major losses due to these animals, which destroyed the harvest and contaminated the remaining bunches with droppings and urine.

Freshmark industry representative Meagan George assured consumers that at the national level, supplies of bananas and other affected fruits remain stable, as about 94 percent of bananas come from northern Queensland, although local difficulties with access to produce may occur.