Dried Fruits Australia represent the biosecurity interests of grape growers of the dried fruit industry. They are members of Plant Health Australia and signatories to the Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed. Their responsibilities include:
- biosecurity planning and implementation at the national and farm levels
- liaising with federal and state governments on trade issues
- funding and supporting biosecurity initiatives
- participating in national committees and response efforts in an emergency.
Industry overview
In 2017–18, dried grape production (sultana types, currants and raisins) had an estimated value of $34 million (LVP) with exports valued at $19.8 million. The 2020 crop is estimated to be 15,000 tonnes. Export sales of dried vine fruits to Europe and Asia are expected to increase to 5,000 or more tonnes in coming years. In Australia, grapes for the dried fruit industry are predominantly grown in the Sunraysia region which spans north western Victoria and south-western NSW around the Murray River, and also in the SA Riverland.
The dried fruit industry regularly distributes biosecurity information and guidelines from PHA to its members via a quarterly publication, The Vine, and through the email newsletter Currant News. The viticulture biosecurity manual has been distributed to growers of dried fruit through the major industry processors. The industry also undertakes Emergency Plant Pest Response training in order to understand the roles and responsibilities of their officers in the event of a pest incursion.
During 2019, producers voted to introduce a biosecurity levy to enable the dried vine fruits industry value chain to be a contributing participant in national biosecurity related activities and projects such as surveillance and emergency scenarios.
Value of production and distribution
Annual value of dried grape production, 2007–18
Distribution of dried grape production by state and territory, 2017–18 (based on LVP)
Biosecurity plans, manuals and resources
Biosecurity Plan for the Viticulture Industry
Biosecurity planning provides a mechanism for the viticulture industry, government and other relevant stakeholders to assess current biosecurity practices and future biosecurity needs. Planning identifies procedures that can be put in place to reduce the chance of pests reaching our borders or minimise the impact if a pest incursion occurs.
The Biosecurity Plan for the Viticulture Industry outlines key threats to the industry, risk mitigation plans, identification and categorisation of exotic pests and contingency plans. For a copy, please contact PHA on 02 6215 7700 or email [email protected]
Biosecurity Manual for Viticulture Industry
The Biosecurity Manual for Viticulture Industry contains information to help producers to implement biosecurity on-farm. Manuals usually contain an overview of biosecurity, fact sheets to identify the high priority pests of a crop, tips on crop management, and how to manage people, vehicles and equipment to minimise biosecurity risks. Manuals also contain a biosecurity self-assessment list, and templates to record pest surveillance records and visitors.
More information about on-farm biosecurity for both plant and livestock producers is available from the Farm Biosecurity website.
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