A new project called ‘One Biosecurity’ has been launched in SA by PIRSA to strengthen and promote biosecurity activities that underpin production and market access for the State’s horticulture and viticulture industries.
A first step of the project is to establish Area Wide Management Groups in major horticulture and viticulture regions, initially the Riverland, Mount Lofty Ranges and Northern Adelaide Plains, to:
- Create a partnership approach to biosecurity issues in each geographic region;
- Identify biosecurity strategies that will support horticultural and viticultural production and market access; and
- Collaborate on biosecurity solutions. Examples of biosecurity strategies to be considered include on-farm biosecurity accreditation, area freedom certification, property identification codes and export readiness programs.
Representing the grape and wine industry within One Biosecurity is:
- Mount Lofty Ranges: Inca Pearce, CEO of Vinehealth Australia and Richard Hamilton, Chair of Adelaide Hills Wine Technical Group;
- Northern Adelaide Plains: Inca Pearce, CEO of Vinehealth Australia; and
- Riverland: Chris Byrne, Executive Officer of Riverland Wine.
Other stakeholder groups and members will be added as the project progresses.
Inca Pearce says it is wonderful to see the State Government supporting biosecurity initiatives in the wine industry. “Richard Hamilton, Chris Byrne and I will work with the One Biosecurity management groups to maximise synergies across the horticulture and viticulture sectors. We know a collaborative approach to biosecurity is the best way to prevent pest and disease incursions,” she says.
The groups will regularly update the wine industry on activities and outcomes and will seek grower and industry input throughout the process.