A Complete Guide to Vineyard Biosecurity Plans

Biosecurity

Viticulture

For island nations like Australia and New Zealand, biosecurity is an essential consideration. The delicate ecosystems of these countries can make them particularly vulnerable to the impacts of biosecurity breaches.

Australian and New Zealand vineyards need to take a proactive approach to biosecurity. Various pests and diseases have the potential to devastate a viticulture business.

A vineyard biosecurity plan is an important tool for mitigating biosecurity threats for vineyards around Australia and New Zealand. In this guide, we will explore the role these plans can play in your business and what you need to know to set out on creating your own biosecurity plan.

If you need a digital solution to ease the burden of biosecurity on your business, explore Onside's biosecurity solutions today.

What is a vineyard biosecurity plan?

A vineyard biosecurity plan outlines measures and processes used to manage vineyard biosecurity. The use of such a plan is endorsed by governments and peak bodies across Australia and New Zealand as an important part of maintaining biosecurity.

Vineyard biosecurity plans help individual businesses and the broader industry address threats posed by pests and diseases. Generally, the measures of a vineyard biosecurity plan are primarily focused on mitigating these threats.

Why is a vineyard biosecurity plan important?

Biosecurity breaches can be enormously impactful for vineyards across Australia and New Zealand. These countries spend plenty of money and time managing biosecurity risks.

Some of the most impactful vineyard biosecurity threats around the world are currently not present in Australia and New Zealand. However, this could quickly change if biosecurity systems fail.

Each viticulture business is a small piece of a larger biosecurity picture in these countries. By following a vineyard biosecurity plan, you can do your part to keep your business and broader agribusiness community secure.

While biosecurity breaches already affect Australia and New Zealand, things could get even worse if biosecurity measures lapse. In the United States, Pierce's disease has been estimated to cost the California grape industry $104 million each year. Pierce's disease does not currently exist in Australia and New Zealand, and vigilant biosecurity is required to keep it that way.

Biosecurity threats for vineyards

Some of the top established pests and diseases that impact vineyards in Australia and/or New Zealand are:

Grape phylloxera
Regional fruit flies
Light brown apple moth
Powdery mildew
Botrytis bunch rot

Viticulturists should also pay close attention to exotic pests and diseases that exist around the world. These threats could devastate viticulture in Australia and New Zealand if they were to arrive.

Prominent exotic pests and diseases that may impact vineyards in Australia and/or New Zealand are:

Pierce’s disease
Pacific spider mite
Exotic strains of grape phylloxera
Oriental fruit fly complex
Khapra beetle
Spotted wing drosophila

Vineyard biosecurity frameworks in Australia and New Zealand

Fortunately, you're not on your own when it comes to managing viticulture biosecurity. There are a range of standards you can use to guide you to better biosecurity practices within your business.

Some important frameworks your business can use include:

Vineyard Biosecurity Action Planner: Though this document is created by the NSW Department of Primary Industries, the principles of this action planner can be applied throughout Australia and New Zealand. Just be sure to pay attention to different regulations in your jurisdiction.
Viticulture Biosecurity Manual: This extensive document provides a comprehensive overview of vineyard biosecurity and biosecurity plans. It was created in collaboration with some of the most significant non-government organisations and peak bodies in Australia, including Plant Health Australia, Australian Grape & Wine, Australian Table Grape Association and Dried Fruits Australia.
New Zealand Wine Vineyard Biosecurity Plan: This document was created by New Zealand Wine, the national organisation for the country's grape and wine sector. It contains vital information specific to New Zealand including actionable tips and information and pests and diseases.

What do vineyard biosecurity plans cover?

The pillars of vineyard biosecurity are the same as those for agricultural biosecurity plans. The six "biosecurity essentials" as defined by farmbiosecurity.com.au are:

Vineyard inputs
Production practices
Vineyard outputs
People, vehicles and equipment
Ferals and weeds
Train, plan and record

This forms the key framework for vineyard biosecurity plans as seen in the Viticulture Biosecurity Manual. Read on for further detail to help you understand what should go into your vineyard biosecurity plan.

Keep in mind that this is not an exhaustive overview of everything that should be included in your vineyard biosecurity plan. Refer to your local government for further insight into what is required for a comprehensive and legally compliant vineyard biosecurity plan.

Vineyard inputs

If a biosecurity threat is present on your farm, that means it arrives via some kind of vineyard input. Your vineyard biosecurity plan should carefully address all kinds of vineyard inputs to mitigate this risk.

Some of the most important inputs to address are:

Planting and grafting material: Infected planting material is a significant source of diseases for your vineyard. Purchase planting and grafting material from accredited nurseries or vine improvement associations. Obtain records of the material's source, treatment history and virus testing history.
Second-hand materials and machinery: Per the Viticulture Biosecurity Manual, the best practice is that equipment and machinery should not be moved from vineyard-to-vineyard and region-to-region. Ensure you adhere to regulatory requirements when purchasing second-hand materials and machinery and conduct a thorough inspection of anything that comes onto your property.
Compost, soil conditioners and mulches: Purchase compost, soil conditioners and mulches that comply with the Australian Standard AS4454-2012.

Production practices

Proper production practices are crucial to preventing biosecurity breaches on your property. Follow these best practices to ensure your day to day management reduces the risk of biosecurity threats:

Monitoring and surveillance: While pests and diseases are not always detectable when present, there are some warning signs you can look out for. You can work this into your daily tasks by educating all members of your team for warning signs such as changes in colour and growth.
Pest and disease knowledge: Understanding exotic pests and diseases, and their warning signs, is essential for quickly identifying biosecurity breaches. Take the time to educate your team on local and exotic pests and diseases and how they can look for them in day to day activities.

Vineyard outputs

Biosecurity is not just an internal consideration. The entire viticulture industry needs to work together to prevent biosecurity threats taking root. Here are some methods you can follow to ensure your vineyard outputs don't present biosecurity concerns:

Waste: To prevent vineyard waste from causing biosecurity issues, ensure disposal sites are located away from vineyards. If you have infected or infested material, consider using a commercial biosecure disposal service. Ensure that waste from washdown and decontamination areas drains away from growing areas.
Produce: It's important to follow surveillance procedures during and after the production process. This works toward ensuring that your vineyard outputs are not spreading pests and diseases. This is particularly significant for table grapes, as some export locations for table grapes require 'evidence of absence' data for exotic and some established pests and diseases. This is achieved through surveillance.
Harvest practices: Biosecurity risks can be heightened during the harvesting process. Reduce these risks by restricting unnecessary access to vineyards, keeping machinery on formed tracks and establishing designated collection and drop-off sites. These measures help to ensure your vineyard outputs do not risk breaching biosecurity measures.

People, vehicles and equipment

People, vehicles and equipment are high-risk inputs for your vineyard. Your vineyard biosecurity plan should contain specific action points to address these concerns.

Visitor register: Records of visitors to your property are an essential element of biosecurity. With farm management apps like Onside, you can maintain digital records of all visitors to your property and where on your property they visited. This is a much simpler and more effective approach than relying on paper records.
Arrival questions: To understand risks that may be posed by visitors, you should have a questioning system in place to find out where they have been recently, whether they have followed entry requirements and so on. This can also be easily implemented with Onside's check-in features.
Induction: Your visitor and contractor inductions should address biosecurity. This is the perfect opportunity to share information about your biosecurity processes and key threats to be aware of.
Access: Carefully control non-essential access to your process. Ensure you have advance warning of any visitors to your property and that they stay on defined walkways.
Cleaning: Allow visitors and employees to access a disinfectant footpath and scrubbing brushes for shoes. Make special considerations for high-risk visitors, such as those who have recently been on other vineyards.
Vehicle movement: Ensure that vehicles are parked in designated areas. Prioritise the use of dedicated vehicles to move through vineyards. Ensure that non-production vehicles stay on designated roadways as much as possible.
Equipment: Clean and disinfect equipment that will be working close or in between vine rows. Ensure your team and contractors understand your protocols and expectations when it comes to biosecurity for equipment.

Animals and weeds

Animals and weeds are some of the most difficult areas to monitor for vineyard biosecurity. Wild animals can enter your property without answering screening questions and weeds can easily sit undetected between your vine rows.

Here are some ways your vineyard biosecurity plan can prepare you to deal with these issues:

Grazing stock: If grazing animals are present on the same property as your vineyard, or an adjacent property, ensure property fencing is in place. Be aware of your Phylloxera Management Zone you are in and regulations involved with moving grazing stock between properties.
Wild animals: Fencing can also be used to prevent wild animals from presenting biosecurity threats to your vineyard. Stay on the lookout for signs of wild animals and pests on your property and consider measures like poisoning and trapping to deal with them. (Ensure you comply with local regulations when addressing issues presented by wild animals and pests.)
Mid-row plants and weeds: Growth underneath and between wine rows offers benefits including greater numbers of beneficial plants and insects. However, these plants and insects can also support the spread of pests and disease. Always stay on the lookout for weeds and follow a weed management plan.

Train, plan and record

Your vineyard biosecurity plan should also address the ways you will ensure your business stays on the right path going forward. This is achieved through a deliberate approach to training your team, planning for the future and recording your measures.

Staff training: Take the time to ensure your staff have excellent working knowledge of their biosecurity obligations on your vineyard. Hold inductions and specific training sessions to ensure they have access to the latest biosecurity information.
Vineyard zoning: Zoning is a popular method to mitigate the spread of pests and diseases around your vineyard. Vineyard zoning involves reducing movement between defined zones and only conducting particular activities in particular zones.
Recording: Ensure your records are accurate and up to date with best practices and regular audits. Trace the movements of people, vehicles and all other inputs as much as is relevant and practical.

How do viticulture biosecurity plans relate to legislation?

Viticulture biosecurity plans can have significant relationships to legislation around Australia and New Zealand. A viticulture biosecurity plan could be legally significant for your business, depending on your jurisdiction.

Here's an overview of how vineyard biosecurity plans relate to legislation around Australia and New Zealand.

New Zealand

Biosecurity plans are not directly referenced in New Zealand’s Biosecurity Act 1993. However, their importance has been noted by the New Zealand government in the past.

New Zealand Winegrowers has produced a number of resources in its role as a member of the Government Industry Agreement (GIA) for biosecurity readiness and response. These resources are valuable guides for preparing your vineyard biosecurity plan.

New South Wales

In August 2019, the NSW Biosecurity Regulation 2017 was amended to increase the enforceability of Biosecurity Management Plans, which can include vineyard biosecurity plans.

As a result of these changes, significant penalties can apply when people entering areas where Biosecurity Management Plans are in place do not comply with them. Penalties can include fines of $220,000 for an individual and $440,000 for a corporation.

Creating a biosecurity management plan is not mandatory. However, it is strongly recommended by the NSW Department of Primary Industries.

To be enforceable under these regulations, biosecurity management plans must meet a series of minimum requirements. Minimum standards include:

The Management Plan must be in active use on your property.
The biosecurity management area must be made clear.
You must place signs at each entrance to the biosecurity management area. They must notify visitors that they are entering an area covered by a biosecurity management plan.

Victoria

Victoria enforces the Plant Biosecurity Act 2010 and the Plant Biosecurity Regulations 2016, which cover grape production. Neither the Act nor the regulations specifically address biosecurity plans.

Queensland

In Queensland, there is an important distinction between "biosecurity plans" and "biosecurity management plans".

Biosecurity plans outline biosecurity risks to a property, facility or local government area. In addition, they cover the processes used to manage biosecurity risks.

According to the Biosecurity Regulation 2016, biosecurity management plans have additional requirements. In particular, they must be followed by site visitors, unless the visitors have "legal access to land".

Visitors covered by "legal access to land" include electricity providers, resource and gas companies, licence or permit holders, or those who have a contract to enter the property.

Failure to comply with a biosecurity plan on a place that is a registered biosecurity entity is an offence.

Western Australia

In Western Australia's Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007, specific legal standing is not placed on biosecurity plans. For the purposes of this act, viticulture is defined as part of agriculture.

Viticulturists in WA should familiarise themselves with this legislation and incorporate its requirements into their biosecurity plans.

South Australia

A draft biosecurity bill is currently being considered to replace pieces of existing legislation in South Australia. At present, biosecurity plans are not addressed within this proposed bill. This means that vineyard biosecurity plans are unlikely to have special legal significance in SA in the near future.

Tasmania

Vineyard biosecurity plans in Tasmania do not have the same legal standing found in NSW. Familiarise yourself with the Biosecurity Regulations 2022 before creating a vineyard biosecurity plan in Tasmania.

Three tips for maintaining vineyard biosecurity with digital tools

Managing vineyard biosecurity is rarely simple, but a few tips can go a long way to helping your business stay secure. Taking advantage of biosecurity features available from a farm management app like Onside can offer these benefits:

Digital records: Trying to track visitors and contractors with paper records is extremely difficult. Farm management apps like Onside are perfect for maintaining accurate and up to date records which you can access at any time.
Use check-in questions: Setting up check-in questions enable you to identify potential biosecurity risks your visitors may present. Automatic notifications allow you to make swift responses required for maintaining a secure vineyard.
Share key documents: When your team has access to a farm management app, you can share key information and documents including your vineyard biosecurity plans. This allows your entire team to stay up to date with your biosecurity strategy.