Abstract
This project was directed to development of an Australian Standard for Grapevine Propagation Material (AS 5588-2013) encompassing the definition of specifications and guidelines related to the health status; origin, source and traceability; and the authentic, valid naming of grapevine propagation material.
Summary
The project was initiated by the Wine Grape Growers’ Association (WGGA) and the Winemakers’ Federation of Australia (WFA) with the project funded by GWRDC.
Working within the framework of Standards Australia an Australian Standard for Grapevine Propagation Material (AS 5588-2013) was developed by an Australian Standards Technical Committee, FT-036, comprised of representatives from the key national industry bodies related to wine grapes, wine, vine improvement and vine nurseries in addition to representatives from Wine Australia, Grape and Wine Research and Development corporation (GWRDC), CSIRO Plant Industry, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) and the Australian Society of Viticulture and Oenology (ASVO) along with a representative of the Consumers’ Federation of Australia.
The standards document is intended to be practical and does not set impossible goals. The contents of the Australian Standard are based on consensus within the committee which has established specifications and procedures designed to ensure grapevine propagules-cuttings, rootlings, grafted vines and micropropagules-are correctly named, of identified origin and have defined health status and physical specification such that they are capable of reliable and consistent performance.
Being based on sound current industry, scientific and consumer experience, the standard should not be seen as a fixed document but warrants ongoing review to ensure that it keeps pace with new research, technologies and industry experience.