Seasonal workers help protect our vineyards

Summary

Australia hosts some of the oldest grapevines in the world. As an island nation, compared with other countries around the world Australia has been fortunate to remain relatively free from many unwanted pests and diseases and we aim to keep it that way.

Unwanted pests, diseases and weeds can be picked up and spread by shoes, clothing, car tyres and hand tools used in a vineyard. This could have a devastating effect on the Australian Wine Industry.

There are also many ‘hitch-hiker’ pests that can hide in people’s luggage, clothing and shoes when travelling between countries, including moths, bugs, leafhoppers and beetles.

The good news is that you can play an important role in helping keep vineyards safe by learning about biosecurity and how to protect our vineyards.

Five things you can do to help

1. If coming from overseas:

• Do not wear shoes or clothing (including hats) that you have worn on farms or vineyards overseas.
• Purchase new shoes and clothing in Australia or wear shoes and clothing provided by your employer or the vineyard owner.
• Do not use any hand tools (for example, snips, shovels or knives) that you have used on farms or in vineyards overseas.

2. If you have worked in a vineyard in Australia in the previous month:

• Before you start work at the next vineyard, please advise your employer and the owner of the vineyard where you worked before.
• Note: you may have worked in a vineyard that is a risk for phylloxera and your shoes, clothing, car tyres and hand tools may be contaminated.

3. When you arrive at a vineyard to work, please listen to, and follow any instructions given by your employer or the owner of the vineyard.

4. Park your car away from vine rows and not on vineyard soil. Cars must be parked on gravel or on sealed roads or tracks.

5. Do not take away any grapes, shoots, leaves, canes, or soil from a vineyard.

Grapevine phylloxera

Of the pests already present in Australia, the greatest threat is grapevine phylloxera. This tiny pest destroys vines by feeding on their roots.

Phylloxera is in most wine growing regions around the world and is also present in parts of Victoria and New South Wales. We need to stop it from spreading.

We recognise the important role you play in helping to produce our grapes and we want you to continue working in our vineyards. Please help keep our vineyards safe from pests and diseases, so our grapevines will be around in years to come.

Phylloxera crawlers feeding on grapevine root. Photo: Vinehealth Australia.

Phylloxera adults, nymphs and eggs. Photo: Agriculture Victoria.

Leaf galls caused by phylloxera feeding. Photo: Vinehealth Australia.

Thank you for playing your part in helping to keep our NSW grapevines healthy!

Acknowledgements

This document is a collaboration between the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Vinehealth Australia. For more information, go to www.vinehealth.com.au