Central Tablelands Local Land Services and Biosecurity staff from the NSW Department of Primary Industries will be hosting a workshop on April 18, for grape growers and the local wine industry on what the ramifications for the Central West would be if an outbreak of grape phylloxera were to occur.
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Gape phylloxera (Daktulosphaira vitifoliae) is one pf the world’s most damaging grapevine pests.
The small aphid like insect has already infested the Sydney region around Cumberland and Camden and large areas of Victoria are classed as Phylloxera Infested Zones.
Karen OMalley from the Central Table Lands Local Land Services, said that the workshop will look at what growers need to do if they suspect an infestation.
“This workshop on April 18 will look at what growers need to do if they suspect they have discovered the phylloxera aphid on their properties, and how an outbreak would be managed.”
“With the Phylloxera infested Zones so close to the Central West, the threat of this pest spreading to our region is possible,” she said.
Other issues that will be discussed will be what happens to neighbouring vineyards what an infestation is discovered and what the ramifications for individual growers, the wider district and the industry would be.
“We’ll discuss the costs involved and what growers have learnt in other parts of Australia, we’ll also talk through the new Biosecurity Act and what the legislation means for grape producers.”
“Phylloxera is not currently present in this region so we need growers to be quick to recognise it, should it turn up here, so that we can eliminate it as soon as possible,” Ms OMalley said.
The phylloxera workshop will take place at the Training Centre at the NSW DPI Orange Agricultural Institute, Forest Road, Orange on Monday April 18 at 1.30pm.
Afternoon tea will be supplied, please RSVP for catering purposes to Karen OMalley on 6333 2324 or karen.omalley@lls.nsw.gov.au
