Vinehealth Australia is governed by the Phylloxera and Grape Industry Act 1995, with functions spanning the four phases of biosecurity; preparedness, prevention, response and recovery.
The primary functions of Vinehealth Australia as detailed in the Act include:
- Identify and assess the relative threat to the state’s vineyards posed by phylloxera and other diseases*.
- Identify and assess the risk of spreading diseases* through the movement of machinery, equipment, vines and other vectors into and within the state.
- Develop policies in relation to the appropriate conditions for the movement of machinery, equipment, vines and other vectors into and within the state to prevent the spread of disease*.
- Develop policies in relation to the quarantine of vines that are or may be affected by disease*.
- Develop policies in relation to appropriate measures for the control of outbreaks of disease* in the state.
- Develop plans for the eradication of diseases* in the state’s vineyards.
- Support and encourage the conduct and evaluation of research into diseases* including their control and management and to publish the results of relevant research.
- Promote awareness of the dangers of disease* among the public and people involved in grape growing or winemaking.
- Prepare and disseminate information on diseases*, codes of conduct and work practices that minimise the risk of disease*, or its spread, to people involved in grape growing or winemaking.
- Approve nurseries (whether within or outside the state) that are capable of producing propagative material that is free of specified diseases* or industry-based accreditation schemes for such nurseries.
- Collect and supply data relating to vineyards and vine health in South Australia.
Other core functions of Vinehealth Australia include:
- Assisting and supporting the grape industry in its initiatives
- Acting as inspectors under the Plant Health Act 2009 ex officio
- In conjunction with the Chief Inspector, determining the appropriate action to be taken to control an outbreak and providing ongoing advice to the Minister regarding the outbreak and the action being taken to control it
- Maintaining a Register of all vineyards of 0.5 hectares or greater planted in South Australia, which includes owner and location details and planting information
- Managing a system to levy, collect and recover contributions (levies) payable under the Phylloxera and Grape Industry Act 1995
*In the Act, disease means, (a) any bacterium, fungus, insect, mite or other arthropod, protozoan, virus or other organism or pathogen; or (b) any other condition, that may affect vines.