After publishing an article on non-winegrape production in June, Vinehealth Australia was contacted by a vigilant grower advising of a sizeable new planting in their region.
Vinehealth Australia is a very small team and does not have the capacity to be present in every region to monitor back roads for new plantings. We rely on good relationships with vineyard owners, nurseries, regional associations and contractors.
We also acquire aerial imagery of regions infrequently and this is used to monitor for planting changes. The vineyard in question was planted after the last imagery collection of that region, which is not expected to be flown again for some years.
Vinehealth Australia is following up with the landowner to talk to them about biosecurity and add them to the Register. The grower may not be aware of the requirement to be listed on the Register of all vineyard plantings in South Australia, as part of compliance with the Phylloxera and Grape Industry Act.
The anonymous reporter was thanked for being both vigilant and observant.
If you in your travels come across a new greenfield planting in South Australia on land not previously used for vines, please reach out to Vinehealth Australia via email at admin@vinehealth.com.au or phone (08) 8273 0550 to keep us informed. Vinehealth Australia will follow up with landowners.
While we do need to know about new greenfield plantings, we do not need reports about vines being removed or new plantings on existing vineyards. It is up to each vineyard owner to advise about changes to their plantings, including removals or new plantings. It may be the vineyard owner is removing vines to plant with disease-free material, changing the varietal mix, planting on rootstocks, or changing the trellis and row orientation. In accordance with our Act, growers must notify Vinehealth Australia within three months of any planting change (clause 21).
It is in the best interests of all vineyard owners to understand biosecurity risks and the work that Vinehealth Australia undertakes to keep SA phylloxera free.
HOT OFF THE PRESS: The owner of the new planting discussed above had undertaken all importation and disinfestation checks and no further action was needed. The new grower was not aware of the work Vinehealth Australia undertakes and has been added to the Vinehealth Register.