Western Australia’s wine industry is strengthening its frontline defence against pests and diseases, with the launch of WA Wine Industry Biosecurity Week from 8–12 June 2026 – a coordinated series of events designed to raise awareness, build capability and protect the long-term sustainability of the industry.
Led by Wines of Western Australia in partnership with Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) and Wine Australia, the week will bring together growers, winemakers and regional stakeholders to improve preparedness, strengthen on-farm biosecurity practices and help protect the long-term sustainability of WA’s wine sector.
The centrepiece of the week is the WA Wines Phylloxera Preparedness & Response Exercise, a full-day simulation of a detection of one of the most devastating pests that threatens the global wine industry.
Being held in Margaret River on Wednesday 10 June, the exercise is being facilitated by Plant Health Australia in collaboration with Wines of Western Australia and DPIRD. Expert guest speakers from South Australia and Victoria also feature. The exercise will test how industry and government would respond in the event of a phylloxera detection in Western Australia.
Participants will work through escalating response scenarios including detection, surveillance, movement controls and long-term recovery planning, helping strengthen industry readiness and coordination across regions.
Outcomes, learnings and practical preparedness resources developed through the exercise will be shared more broadly with industry following the event.
Alongside the simulation exercise, WA Wine Industry Biosecurity Week will feature free, hands-on biosecurity workshops in Margaret River and the Swan Valley, hosted by Wines of Western Australia, Wine Australia and DPIRD.
Led by Wine Australia Program Manager Biosecurity, Pest and Disease, Robyn Dixon, the workshops will help producers identify regionally specific biosecurity risks and develop tailored biosecurity plans to protect vineyard assets and meet sustainability expectations.
Participants will gain practical tools to strengthen on-farm biosecurity systems, improve early detection and reporting, and better understand their role in protecting the wider industry.
Wines of Western Australia said the initiative demonstrates the sector’s commitment to proactive leadership and practical preparedness.
WoWA’s Sustainability and Industry Development Program Manager Eloise Jarvis says:
“WA’s wine industry has too much at stake to wait for a biosecurity crisis before acting. Biosecurity Week is about closing gaps, building real capability across our regions and making sure growers, producers and government are connected and ready. Collaboration across the supply chain – from vine to wine – is how we protect the long-term future of our industry and Western Australia.”
“By stress testing processes and procedures through simulation will mean greater preparedness for real-world scenarios while also showing stakeholders the potential business impacts of an incursion. DPIRD Research scientist Richard Fennessy explains.
The workshops are equally important, giving attendees practical advice they can apply immediately to protect their vineyards”
Workshop dates
Margaret River Biosecurity Workshop
Tuesday, 9 June 2026
10.30am – 2.30pm
Margaret River Mens Shed, Margaret River
Swan Valley Biosecurity Workshop
Thursday, 11 June 2026
10.30am – 2.30pm
Caversham Community Centre, Caversham
Event details
For more information on workshops and biosecurity resources, visit the WA Wines and DPIRD channels in the lead-up to the event.
Media contact:
Caroline Taylor
Communications and Stakeholder Manager
Wines of Western Australia
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