With an increased regulatory focus placed on empty winegrape bins and other vessels being imported into South Australia for vintage 21, we congratulate industry for your compliance and systems changes.
As has been the case for several years, Biosecurity Officers from the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) who man the Yamba Quarantine Station have collected statistics of incoming wine industry-related consignments including for empty and full winegrape bins, bulk loads and tankers.
PIRSA monitors compliance of these consignments with the SA Plant Quarantine Standard, which enables us to measure behavioural changes in our industry.
Vinehealth issued broad advice to industry and to specific businesses of an increased focus on compliance for vintage 21, of empty winegrape bin and bulk entering the state.
Pleasingly, for vintage 2021 only 0.63% of empty winegrape consignments arrived without biosecurity documentation.
“The wine industry is to be highly commended on this result, providing proof of cleanliness of the vessels from soil and plant material, and minimising the risk of introduction and spread of pests into South Australia,” said Inca Lee, CEO of Vinehealth Australia.
“We sincerely thank all businesses – and interstate businesses in particular that have put systems in place to ensure they can meet these South Australian entry requirements – and PIRSA staff for collecting the statistics.”