Australian Grape and Wine represents the biosecurity interests of wine grape producers and the 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, the Australian wine industry was valued at $943 million (LVP) and the value of wine exports grew 20 per cent to $2.76 billion as a result of 10 percent increase in volume exported and a nine per cent increase in price per litre
The wine industry has a significant footprint in Australia, with more than 6,000 wine grape growers, a vineyard area of 146,128 hectares, and 2,400 Australian wine producers blending grapes into wine. The most grown wine grape varieties are Shiraz (30%), Cabernet Sauvignon (18%) and Chardonnay (16%). The major varieties by colour are Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot for reds and Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon for whites.
The Australian wine industry has been fortunate to date in avoiding many of the world’s most devastating grape vine pests and as a result possesses some of the oldest vineyards in the world. Australia remains free from Xylella fastidiosa, and the industry continues to work hard to manage the spread of phylloxera. Australian grape and wine producers enjoy an enviable global reputation for producing high quality wines.
Australian Grape & Wine promotes biosecurity within the wine sector and the viticulture industry more broadly, and since its inception in February 2019 has convened a Wine Biosecurity Committee as a mechanism for coordinating and prioritising biosecurity work across the wine sector and promoting leadership.
Australian Grape & Wine includes regular biosecurity updates via their member newsletter, as well as working with Vinehealth Australia to develop biosecurity alerts in the event of serious endemic pest events or exotic pest incursions impacting the sector. Recognising the potential impacts on horticulture crops in Australia, in 2019 Hort Innovation and Wine Australia jointly funded the national xylella preparedness initiative.
Value of production and distribution
Annual value of wine grape production, 2008–18
Distribution of wine grape production by state and territory, 2017–18 (based on LVP)
Biosecurity plans, manuals and resources
Industry 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 provides a framework for biosecurity risk mitigation measures in the industry. For a copy, please contact PHA on 02 6215 7700 or email [email protected]
Click here for more information about planning.
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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