Vine Industry Nursery Accreditation Scheme
The Vine Industry Nursery Accreditation Scheme (VINAS) is administered by the Vine Industry Nursery Association (VINA) to ensure quality assurance in the production of vine planting material. It provides standard operating procedures, controls, and documentation for vine nurseries to meet the standards set by VINA. Accredited nurseries must adhere to these standards and undergo annual audits by VINA-appointed quality assurance auditors. The scheme allows nurseries to label their vine planting material as “Certified” if it meets specific criteria, ensuring high-quality, pathogen-free, and traceable vines.
Nursery Best Practices Under VINAS Accreditation
- Source Area Management:
- Collect cuttings only from certified source blocks during dormancy.
- Ensure proper sterilisation of tools and equipment.
- Maintain detailed records of cutting collection, including variety, clone, and source block identification.
- Material Handling:
- Ensure proper hydration and sanitation of cuttings using clean, chlorinated water.
- Store cuttings in cold rooms at 2-4°C with high humidity and proper ventilation.
- Hot Water Treatment (HWT):
- Use trained and accredited operators for HWT.
- Follow strict temperature and duration protocols to control pests and pathogens.
- Maintain detailed records of HWT procedures and equipment calibration.
- Grafting and Callusing:
- Ensure proper alignment and union of scion and rootstock during grafting.
- Maintain high humidity and controlled temperatures in callus rooms.
- Regularly inspect grafted cuttings for quality and uniformity.
- Waxing:
- Apply wax to graft unions to protect against dehydration and contamination.
- Use chlorinated water for cooling waxed cuttings.
- Record wax temperatures and batch IDs for quality control.
- Field Nursery Management:
- Ensure proper labelling and mapping of planted varieties.
- Maintain active growth through watering, fertilisation, and weed control.
- Implement integrated pest and disease management programs.
- Regularly inspect for off-types and diseased vines.
- Grading and Packing:
- Grade vines based on maturity, root quality, and graft union strength.
- Clearly label vines with variety, clone, batch number, and certification status.
- Hydrate and store vines in cold rooms with monitored temperatures.
- Dispatch:
- Ensure vines are dispatched according to customer specifications and state quarantine regulations.
- Maintain accurate records of stock and dispatch details.
- Safe Handling of Potting Mix:
- Follow workplace health and safety practices to mitigate risks from hazardous substances like Legionella bacteria.
- Use pathogen-tested potting media and maintain clean potting areas.
Benefits of Accreditation for Customers
- Quality Assurance: Accredited nurseries follow strict protocols to ensure the production of high-quality, pathogen-free, and genetically stable vine planting material.
- Traceability: Certified vines come with an audit trail, allowing customers to trace the clonal identity and health status of the planting material.
- Disease Prevention: Certification ensures that vines are derived from pathogen-tested sources, reducing the risk of spreading diseases in vineyards.
- Compliance: Accredited nurseries meet industry standards and are audited annually, providing confidence in their adherence to best practices.
- Transparency: Clear labelling and documentation provide customers with detailed information about the vines they purchase, including variety, clone, and health status.
- Customer Protection: VINA accreditation offers a sense of security, as customers can trust that the vines meet stringent quality and health standards.
By choosing VINA-accredited nurseries, customers can be assured of receiving reliable, high-quality vine planting material that supports sustainable and productive viticulture.
