We distributed an Industry Notice on 30 June seeking feedback from industry on a proposal to deregulate Grapevine Pinot gris virus (GPGV) from South Australia’s Plant Health Act 2009. This proposal followed the 2018 decision by the National Management Group that the virus was not technically feasible to eradicate, and as a result was formally categorised as ‘present in NSW, Victoria and South Australia’.
Feedback was received and provided to the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA). All feedback received supported the deregulation of GPGV. Accordingly, this resulted in GPGV being removed from the Plant Health Act 2009 via the South Australian Government Gazette No. 60 dated Thursday 9 September 2021.
Therefore:
- It is no longer mandatory in SA to report any suspicion of or confirmed presence of GPGV in grapevine material;
- There is no longer a prohibition on the importation into SA of GPGV-infected grapevine material; and
- There are no longer restrictions on the sale or supply of any GPGV-infected grapevine material in SA.
These changes bring South Australia in line with Australian border controls and those of other states and territories.
GPGV, like other endemic grapevine viruses (e.g., Grapevine leafroll-associated viruses (GRLaV-1, GRLaV-3) and Grapevine virus A (GVA)), must continue to be managed by industry. This includes:
- The propagation sector (nurseries and vine improvement associations) incorporating GPGV into their routine virus testing screen and Standards.
- Vineyard Owners, when top-working, including GPGV in their virus-testing suite.
- Vineyard Owners requesting documented health status of planting material from nurseries and vine improvement associations prior to purchase.