Example 7: The backyard vineyard

​​In this hypothetical example you:

  • Have some grapevines growing in your backyard, perhaps from a previous owner OR are planning to plant some grapevines in your backyard.

  • You aren’t sure about how to manage the grapevines because you don’t have experience growing grapevines and are not familiar with the pests and diseases that can be present. 

  • There are commercial vineyards nearby and pests and diseases that establish in your grapevines could infect those commercial vineyards​.

General Biosecurity Duty (GBD) Actions and Outcomes

Meeting your GBD

Below are SOME examples that show how taking action to meet your GBD can have positive outcomes.

​​Actions
Meeting your GBD
​Expected outcomes
Meeting your GBD
  • Removing the existing grapevines or choose not to plant grapevines. If you have a large number of vines, viticulture contractors can provide appropriate removal services.

  • If you’re keeping the grapevines or planning to plant some, you may consider approaching and consulting nearby vineyards for advice on managing grapevines, including pest and disease risk.

  • For those with, or intending to have a ‘hobby vineyard’, develop a biosecurity management plan, and consider utilising professional viticulture services to manage your grapevines.​

  • Become familiar with the key viticulture pests that can threaten grapevines and report any unusual signs of pests or disease to Biosecurity Tasmania. 

  • Removing existing grapevines removes the risk of your property as a potential pest and disease host.

  • Working with nearby commercial growers or contractors and viticulture services with experience and expertise will help ensure that your grapevines remain pest and disease free, thereby reducing the risk to commercial growers.

  • You contribute to maintaining the biosecurity of neighbouring vineyards, and subsequently help protect the Tasmanian economy, primary industries and the environment.​


NOT meeting your GBD
Below are SOME EXAMPLES that show how NOT taking action to meet your GBD can have negative outcomes.
Actions
Not meeting your GBD
Expected outcomes
Not meeting your GBD
  • You leave your grapevines or hobby vineyard unmanaged.

  • You don’t regularly inspect your grapevines for pests and diseases.

  • You are not aware of the pests or diseases that might affect grapevines and do not report unusual signs of pests or diseases to Biosecurity Tasmania.

  • Unmanaged grapevines are potential pest and disease hosts, and these pests and diseases can spread to neighbour’s vines, leading to widespread infestations.

  • Without regular inspection, pests and diseases can establish and spread.

  • The establishment of certain pests and diseases would have serious consequences for the viticulture industry in Tasmania.

  • The Tasmanian economy, primary industries and the environment will be put at risk.

  • You may face legal proceedings.

What you can do to meet your GBD

Whether you have one grapevine, or a vineyard, it is your General Biosecurity Duty to educate yourself on minimising the risk of pests and diseases becoming established and maintaining proper management of your grapevines. There are many online resources to assist with this – the Farm Biosecurity website is a great starting point.

​Know your GBD - Related GBD Profiles:

​Please note that this information contains minimum recommendations only. The GBD requires a person dealing with biosecurity matter or a carrier to take all reasonable and practicable measures to prevent, eliminate or minimise any biosecurity risk associated with the dealing. Such measures may not be specified in any regulations, guidelines or other official publications.​