Phylloxera Regulations

• Introduction
• South Australian legislation and regulations - overview
• Importation of grapevine material
• Importation of equipment and machinery
• Importation of grapes and grape products
• Importation of grapevine diagnostic samples
• Interstate quarantine authorities

Introduction

To prevent the spread of phylloxera from infested areas, each state has legislation (laws) and associated regulations, which restrict or prohibit the movement of "phylloxera risk vectors" - ie things that could carry phylloxera. These include grapevine material, grape products and vineyard or winery equipment and machinery. Each state has slightly different legislation. Anyone wishing to move any risk products between states MUST comply with the legislation of the destination state.

South Australian legislation and regulations - overview

There are legal restrictions governing the importation of grapevine material, grape products, vineyard equipment and machinery into South Australia. These have been put in place to protect the State's viticulture industries from pests and diseases, particularly phylloxera. Requirements for importation of these products into South Australia are governed by the Plant Health Act (2009) and the associated Plant Quarantine Standard (2009). The Plant Quarantine Standard conditions of entry describe the requirements for bringing different products into SA, from other states. The requirements depend on the source as well as the type of product. Download conditions 7 - 12 that relate to grapevines and grape products.

Since the introduction of the Plant Health Act (2009) all importers of horticultural produce, including grapes and grape products, and nursery material including grapevine cuttings and rootlings, are required to register as importers with PIRSA. Where specific requirements apply, the importer must obtain a Plant Health Certificate or Plant Health Assurance Certificate to certify that the appropriate requirements have been met. These certificates are issued by the Department of Primary Industries or equivalent in the state from which the product originates. To arrange a certificate, contact the relevant authority interstate (see list of contact details below). To clarify the entry requirements, or to register as an importer, contact the South Australian Department of Primary Industries State Quarantine and Inspection Service (see below).

For more information on the Plant Health Act or the Plant Quarantine Standard, visit www.pir.sa.gov.au/planthealth/legislation.

A summary of the conditions for each risk vector is given below.

See Importation of grapevines

Used vineyard equipment and machinery including grape harvesters, tractors, grape bins etc can only enter South Australia if they have been thoroughly cleaned and sterilised beforehand. Grape harvesters must undergo a dry heat treatment in a heat shed. The requirement for sterilisation does not apply if the machine/equipment has been working continuously in a phylloxera exclusion zone (see Phylloxera Management Zones map) for the past two weeks. Grape bins from a Phylloxera Infested Zone must be cleaned and dipped in hot water at 70 degrees Centigrade for 2 minutes, and from a PRZ or a PEZ they must be clean and free of plant residues and soil on arrival in South Australia.

Download condition 7A of the Plant Quarantine Standard (2009)

Wine grapes and pre-fermentation marc can only enter South Australia from a Phylloxera Exclusion Zone (see map). Grape must and unfiltered juice can enter South Australia from a Phylloxera Infested or Phylloxera Risk Zone only under an approved Interstate Certification Assurance (ICA) arrangement. Entry of grape must and unfiltered juice from a Phylloxera Exclusion Zone is unrestricted. Wine and filtered juice from any source region are unrestricted.

Tablegrapes can enter South Australia from a PIZ or a PRZ if they are fumigated with methyl bromide of a mixture of sulphur dioxide and carbon dioxide, or (PRZ only) packed with sulphur pads. The rates etc are specified in the condition.

Download condition 8 of the Plant Quarantine Standard (2009)

Download condition 8a of the Plant Quarantine Standard (2009)

There are also regulations covering the movement of winegrapes and tablegrapes entering South Australia from fruit fly endemic or fruit fly suspension zones interstate. See conditions relating to fruit fly of the Plant Quarantine Standard for details.

Dowload list of contact details for interstate quarantine authorities.