Banana industry could lose millions

The Windward Islands Farmers\' Association (WINFA) is warning that a growing outbreak of Black Sigatoka disease in several Caribbean states could result in millions of dollars in losses for the regional banana industry.



The Black Sigatoka, a deadly fungal disease affecting chiefly bananas and plantains, has been reported in St Vincent and the Grenadines and is also suspected in St Lucia.



In Guyana around half the country\'s banana and plantain industry has been affected by a suspected Black Sigatoka outbreak and agriculture officials have ordered the destruction of infected trees.



WINFA\'s Coordinator Renwick Rose has described the situation as very grave.