Vinehealth Australia’s 2019 Annual Report has recently been tabled in parliament and we’re pleased to share with you both the report and a handy summary document, called the Annual Report Snapshot.
The Snapshot gives a brief overview of our activities and results from May 2018 to April 2019. It was a year of great progress including:
- 5 quarantine related responses;
- A full review of SA’s Plant Quarantine Standard’s phylloxera-related conditions. As part of this, 39 stakeholder meetings were held across 10 regions;
- The translation of science for the benefit of industry, including new phylloxera kill rate science;
- 22 formal presentations at events to raise awareness about biosecurity;
- 26 biosecurity meetings held with local councils;
- 56 published articles on pest threats and biosecurity;
- Coonawarra Rootstock Trial harvesting and winemaking;
- A Phylloxera Outbreak Simulation with a large winery;
- Response to 206 service requests via our enquiry line;
- Maintenance of the Vineyard Register;
- Management of the Grapevine Pinot gris virus project;
- Assistance during the Loxton fruit fly outbreak;
- Assistance with management of wine industry biosecurity nationally.
- 507 biosecurity signs sold;
- 527 wine tourism biosecurity training kits supplied; and
- Design and installation of new State Border Signage.
But there is still much to be done. Priorities for this 2019/2020 financial year include development of a robust SA Phylloxera Incursion Response Strategy, finalising the review of SA’s Plant Quarantine Standard, initiating the development of a holistic national phylloxera management strategy, developing more practical solutions for growers to assist the adoption of farm-gate hygiene practices and progressing the transition to a modern Digital Biosecurity Platform.
We’ve sent every registered South Australian vineyard owner a copy of the Annual Report Snapshot via their preferred contact channel.
In the meantime: