Banana Fungus Epidemic Means 'Banana Could Be On The Verge Of Extinction'

HERE'S a piece of news that will send you bananas. 

Your favourite yellow fruit could be on the verge of extinction as a fungus epidemic is threatening the entire global supply. 

According to reports, around 10,000 hectares of banana plantations have already been destroyed due to this devastating disease, known as the Panama Fungus. 

And experts are warning many more will follow suit if the fungus isn't stopped in its tracks. 

Bananas are mainly grown in tropical areas such as Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean and the Pacific. 

The outbreak of the fungul epidemic has already been particularly disastrous in the Philippines. 

The virus is made all the more threatening by the fact most bananas exported around the world are the same variety - the Cavendish. 

As there is no other type of banana to fall back on, if the Cavendish is hit by the catastrophic epidemic, Britain will be one of hundreds of regions to lose out. 

Farmers first began cultivating the Cavendish variety of banana after it's sister fruit, the Gros Michel, was feared to be under threat from disease in the 1950s. 

At the time the Cavendish was immume, but now fears are growing that it too could be at risk. 

Speaking to the BBC Dr Gert Kema, an expert in global plant production from the Wageningen University and Research Centre in the Netherlands, explained: "This does not mean that next week there will be no bananas in supermarkets in the UK. 

"This is going to take some time but that time is extremely pressing. 

"We have nothing to replace the Cavendish right now."

According to Dr Kema, there are two solutions available. 

One is to contain the fungus, which according to Alistair Smith, an international co-ordinator for Norwich-based Banana Link, is "easier said than done". 

The other is to cultivate a new genetic banana which is immune to the disease. 

Dr Kema added: "To carry on growing the same genetic banana is stupid."

Adam Hart, professor of science communications at the University of Gloucestershire, told the BBC: "Culturally the banana has become quite important, it is seen as a power fruit with plenty of sports people pictured eating them, it is nature's convenient snack. 

"The world would carry on if we lost bananas but it would be devastating for those who rely on it economically and very sad for those of us who enjoy eating them."