In May, Vinehealth Australia presented to the Adelaide Hills, Fleurieu and Kangaroo Island Zone Emergency Management Committee (ZEMC) on phylloxera awareness.
This group represents six councils and is made up of representatives from local government, emergency services such as the South Australian Police and the State Emergency Service, the National Emergency Management Agency of Australia and the state government.
“We presented to this group to educate attendees about phylloxera, as in the event of a phylloxera outbreak, emergency services will be called upon to assist in early stages of outbreak management with boundary traffic management and security,” said Warren Birchmore, Technical Manager at Vinehealth Australia, who presented the session.
The presentation included:
- Phylloxera basics, what to look for, quarantine zones and distribution in Australia.
- The movement conditions from the South Australian Plant Quarantine Standard and National Phylloxera Management Protocols.
- An update on the South Australian Phylloxera Outbreak Plan, which is in the process of being updated by Vinehealth Australia and PIRSA.
- Outbreak governance and response responsibilities and activities. This is where the ZEMC will become active.
- Impacts of an outbreak on industry and the activities of the broader community.
“The ZEMC were aware of biosecurity, but less so phylloxera, and were alarmed at the implications that the introduction of a small insect pest to South Australian vineyards could have on the wine industry,” Warren said.
“Numerous questions were raised around modelling to gauge the cost of an outbreak, how phylloxera is being managed interstate and disinfestation procedures. The questions were relevant and demonstrated the understanding this ZEMC has of biosecurity management.
“Ideally, South Australia will never have to manage a phylloxera outbreak, although we should be prepared.”
Vinehealth Australia thanks ZEMC for the opportunity to present and welcomes any further opportunity to speak on other biosecurity topics or in other South Australian ZEMCs.
If you would like phylloxera training to be held in your region, please get in touch with Vinehealth Australia via admin@vinehealth.com.au or 8273 0550.