Keeping Vineyards Safe: Why Biosecurity Matters

The Freshcare Wine Industry Sustainability Standards and Environmental Standard require growers to have a Biosecurity Management Plan to reduce pest and disease risks. This plan includes clear biosecurity and hygiene rules, supported by signs and training guides.

It’s important that all workers, visitors, and contractors understand and follow these rules.

Key Biosecurity Steps

Restrict Access: 

Only authorised people and vehicles should enter vineyard areas to prevent the spread of pests and diseases. Ensure all workers, contractors and visitors wear clean clothing and boots when entering the vineyard.

Clear Site Instructions: 

Site instructions should be provided to all workers and visitors, and must include information regarding:

• environmental priorities
• biosecurity and hygiene requirements
• site access and movement
• use of protective clothing and footwear (where required)
• emergency procedures
• general behaviour

Signs & Training: 

Biosecurity and safety instructions should be clearly displayed and reinforced through training

One of the most commonly raised corrective actions in vineyard audits recently was not providing clear site instructions to all workers and visitors (M4.3.1). To meet industry standards and protect crops, vineyards must ensure that biosecurity rules are clear and followed by everyone.

Resources

Vintage is the busiest time of year, but it’s also when biosecurity risk peaks due to increased movement of people, machinery and equipment. Vinehealth Australia offers a suite of tools and resources to help you keep your vines safe from pests, diseases and weeds, especially during vintage. Click on the links below:

• Factsheets
• Posters
• Consumer Facing Signage
• Vineyard and Farm Biosecurity Signage
• Wine Tourism Biosecurity Signage