Honing the nation’s surveillance capabilities

Improving early detection and management of grapevine phylloxera was the focus of a two‑day Phylloxera Surveillance and Management Workshop hosted by Agriculture Victoria Research (AVR) in February.  

Held in central Victoria, the workshop brought together government, biosecurity agencies and industry stakeholders with the aim of strengthening their practical knowledge of phylloxera surveillance and best‑practice biosecurity. 

Funded through the Wine Australia/AVR project ‘Development and adoption of new tools for the surveillance and management of grapevine phylloxera’, the workshop combined short presentations with hands‑on vineyard and laboratory sessions. 

Observing strict entry and exit disinfestation protocols, participants took part in supervised vineyard field surveys in a Phylloxera Infested Zone, learning practical techniques for visual detection. 

The workshop highlighted new and developing methods, including DNA‑based diagnostics and remote sensing technologies, as well as updates on Victoria’s phylloxera management framework and national phylloxera reform.  

Together, these tools support earlier detection, better decision‑making and stronger protection of vineyards against one of the industry’s most serious biosecurity threats.