Vinehealth Australia has received unofficial reports of occasional illegal grapevine imports from overseas.
In short, illegal vine imports must stop immediately. The risk is too high.
Australia maintains tight border security on importing plant material. There are many pests, diseases and viruses Australia is trying to keep out. Importers may be unknowingly importing exotic pests and diseases such as:
- Pierce’s disease (Xylella fastidiosa)
- Esca and other grapevine trunk diseases
- Grapevine red blotch associated virus
- Brown marmorated stink bug
- Exotic strains of phylloxera
Many exotic pests and diseases are not obviously seen, and some can’t even be seen using a microscope. It takes expensive analytical tests to check, and sometimes visual symptoms can take years to appear and by then the infection is widespread.
Australia maintains strict post entry quarantine (PEQ) where imported grapevines are grown for at least three years before being released. Part of this rearing-out is to allow pests to be identified and grapevines to grow out enough to allow early visual symptoms of diseases. Various tests and analyses are undertaken while vines are in PEQ to ensure the material released is fit for Australian vineyards.
What is to be gained by illegally importing new varieties or clones? Australia has a rich diversity of variety and clonal combinations. Reach out to your local vine improvement association for information on what’s available in your region.
Vinehealth Australia supports the importation of planting material through correct plant quarantine standards, and we work with the propagation sector to ensure planting material is of high health.
If you know of illegally imported grapevines, please report them to your state biosecurity hotline. In South Australia contact PIRSA on (08) 8207 7820.