The Board has undertaken a risk assessment process using the principles of the international standard AS/NZS ISO 31000-2009 Risk Management Tool.

As part of this process, the Board reviewed:

1. The biology of Phylloxera
2. Potential risks associated with the National Phylloxera Management Protocol
3. All available documentation that led to the formation of the National Phylloxera Management Protocol
4. The minutes of both the Phylloxera Technical Reference Group (PTRG) and the National Vine Health Steering Committee (NVHSC) – the body charged with the endorsement of the National Phylloxera Management Protocol based on recommendations of the PTRG
5. The Role of Biosecurity SA and the South Australian Plant Quarantine Standard

The analysis of risk by the Board is best described in three parts as follows:

Part 1 – Risks quantified on the premise that no mechanisms are in place to manage the risk (‘untreated’ risks)

1. Evaluating the likelihood of Phylloxera establishing and/or spreading for each of the risks.
2. Evaluating the consequence of each of the risks on the assumption Phylloxera establishes in South Australia.
3. Determining the level of each ‘untreated’ risk, based on the combined likelihood and consequence rating.

Part 2 – Risk evaluated on the real situation of all current mechanisms (treatments) that are in place to manage the risks

4. Re-evaluating the likelihood of Phylloxera establishing and/or spreading for each of the risks after treatments have been applied.
5. Re-evaluating the consequences of each of the risks on the assumption Phylloxera establishing in new locations after treatments have been applied.
6. Determining the quantum of each risk after the current treatments are taken into account, based on the revised likelihood and consequence rating.

Part 3 – Prioritising risks

7. Identifying additional treatments (risk management practices) for risks with a medium to very-high risk rating.
8. Identifying the risks that may require further action i.e. the risks with an unacceptable rating after all practical ‘treatments’ are in place.
9. Identifying what, if any, further actions are to be considered.

For this risk assessment, the following scales were used to assess the risks:
Rating	Description		Likelihood of introduction
1	Rare		May occur only in exceptional circumstances
2	Unlikely		Could occur at some time
3	Possible		Might occur at some time
4	Likely		Will probably occur in most circumstances
5	Almost certain		Is expected to occur in most circumstances
Rating	Description		Consequence of introduction
1	Insignificant		Very unlikely to get to a vineyard if carried
2	Minor		Possible introduction to a vineyard with a low chance of infection
3	Moderate		Possible carriage to a vineyard and a chance of successful infection
4	Major		Likely carriage to a vineyard and a high chance infection
5	Catastrophic		Highly likely to infect a vineyard and be spread further

Untreated Risk

Untreated Risk is calculated by multiplying the Likelihood x Consequence. This score then indicates the severity of the risk according to the following guidelines:

• Low 0-4
• Med 5-10
• High 11-19
• Very High 20-25

Treatments of ‘risk management strategies’ include regulatory requirements which are based on practices outlined in the National Phylloxera Management Protocol and also standard industry practices that manage the risk of the movement of Phylloxera.

Regulatory treatments include aspects of the following:

• Zones e.g. PEZ (Phylloxera Exclusion Zones), PRZ (Phylloxera Risk Zones), PIZ (Phylloxera Infested Zones) with regulations related to their risks.
• Evidence based treatments such as heat sheds, hot water bin dipping and heat treatment of vine cuttings.
• Wash down facilities.
• Prohibited movement of fruit.

Industry practices, including actions such as:

• Applying on-farm biosecurity practices, e.g. footbaths, movement restrictions, vineyard sign-in procedures, designated vehicle parking from vineyards, record keeping of planting material, use of accredited nurseries and ensuring knowledge as to where contractors and industry personnel have previously been.
• Implementation of Plant Quarantine Standards (PQS) and Interstate Cerification Assurance (ICA) operational procedures by Biosecurity SA.
• Awareness Programs by PGIBSA: Regional Outbreak Simulations, Phylloxera protocols and checklists.

In Biosecurity, an incident report or an accident report is a record of details of an unusual event that occurs when regulations are breached or due to inappropriate human behaviour that may result in an infestation of a pest or disease establishing. The purpose of the incident report is to document the exact details of the occurrence while they are fresh in the minds of those who witnessed the event. This information may be useful in the future when dealing with liability issues stemming from the incident.

Generally, the report must be filled out as soon as possible following the incident (but after the situation has been stabilized). This way, the details written in the report are as accurate as possible.

Most incident reports that are written involve accidents with machinery, people and grapes due to either ignorance, illegal behaviour or disregard for regulation.

To report an incident, please contact the Board on 08 8273 0550 to obtain an Incident Report form for completion or via the link below.

Submit an Incident Report
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