Australia’s vineyards are protected from the world’s most severe pests and diseases by our national and state biosecurity organisations which act to prepare for, prevent, respond to, and help industries recover from incursions. Industry plays a vital role alongside government in these actions.
Play your role and protect your property from biosecurity threats, by following these steps:
- Be aware of biosecurity threats – Familiarise yourself and your staff with the high priority exotic, and regulated endemic pest threats of grapevines, and how each is spread.
- Use pest-free propagation material – Purchase planting material from trusted sources and verify the health status of your planting material with your supplier.
- Know who is coming onto your vineyard and the risk they pose – Communicate your biosecurity expectations of your visitors before they arrive at your vineyard, during their visit and before they leave your vineyard.
- Keep it clean – Practise effective cleaning and where legally required, disinfestation, to help prevent pest movement onto and off your vineyard. Limit entry points, ensure
sign-in upon arrival and actively check the cleanliness of machinery, equipment, footwear and clothing before granting access to your vineyard. Provide effective
washdown facilities to ensure machinery and equipment can leave clean from your vineyard. - Know and abide by the law – Be aware of and comply with quarantine movement regulations between and within states. Contact your state biosecurity department for assistance.
- Check your vineyard and report anything unusual – Visually inspect your grapevines frequently. Know the ‘usual’ appearance of your vineyard so you can recognise new or unusual growth patterns, pests or diseases. Keep written and photographic records of all unusual observations. Seek help to identify what the problem is. Report suspect exotic or regulated endemic pests to the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881. Constant vigilance is vital for early detection of any exotic or regulated endemic plant pest.
For more biosecurity information, refer to the Farm Biosecurity website or to Vinehealth Australia.