October
2013
Grapes
Plant export inspection
techniques guide
HOR3002 Fruit and vegetables
How to use this guide
Before you start
This guide has been written for authorised officers
as a reference guide to inspection techniques for
plant export commodities. This will ensure that all
authorised officers maintain nationally consistent
inspection techniques for fresh grapes.
Ensure that you:
• check the importing country
requirements to determine
the requirements for your
inspection
The guide should be read in conjunction with the
equipment guide for horticulture commodities and
current instructional and reference material.
General notes on inspecting fruit
and vegetables
Inspect the inside and outside of the package for pests
and contaminants (such as leaves, plant trash and soil).
Different types of packaging require different handling
techniques (refer to the General instructions guide for
fruit and vegetables).
Do not roll pieces of produce past you on the inspection
bench as a means of inspection.
Use a magnifying lens when needed, especially
for produce with sites that might harbour pests
and disease.
Use higher magnification or cutting to verify anything
you detect during the visual inspection (refer to the
General instructions guide).
• have the correct inspection
equipment
• have the correct Export
Compliance Record
• wear appropriate personal
protective equipment
• have the current relevant
instructional and reference
material.
Department of Agriculture
Inspection process
Most cartons of grapes contain sulfur dioxide
(SO2) pads on the inside of the carton on top
of the commodity. These can be irritating on
exposure in a confined inspection area or
harmful to asthmatics. Ensure that you wear
a disposable face mask and gloves.
Inspect any internal packaging. Do not
remove the delicate white bloom layer on the
outside of the grapes, as this forms a natural
protection from moisture loss and decay.
Pick up one bunch of grapes at a time and
examine. Turn it over and examine inside the
bunch for pests, diseases and contaminants.
Cut tight bunches when needed, to open
them up for proper inspection.
Grapes
Department of Agriculture
Examine bunches closely (using a hand lens,
where necessary) for possible infestations.
If you see discolouration, lesions, scarring,
puncture marks, stings, physical damage
or rots, carefully cut open these areas to
examine for internal pests. Use a conical cut,
or cut small slices to progressively expose the
site, to avoid damaging pest specimens.
If necessary, use a hand lens to investigate
possible infestations or to further identify
pests or disease.
Grapes
Department of Agriculture
Grapes
Contaminants, pests and diseases
Contaminants
• sand and soil (inert material)
• foreign plant debris (extraneous matter, e.g. leaves)
• weed seeds.
Pests and diseases
What to do if you find a
pest or disease
Follow the rejection procedures
outlined in the relevant
instructional and reference
material.
More information
Export Control Act 1982
Export Control (Orders)
Regulations 1982
Export Control (Plants and Plant
Products) Order 2011
Plant export operations manual
(PEOM):
www.daff.gov.au/biosecurity/
export/plants-plant-products/
plantexportsmanual
Manual of Importing Country
Requirements (MICoR—Plants):
www.daff.gov.au/micor/plants
Phone 1800 851 305
Pest or disease
Symptoms
Caterpillars
Chewed product, webbing, frass
in bunches
Fruit flies
Stings, soft spots, rots
Earwigs
No symptoms
Flies—other
Fungus
Stings, feeding scars
Powdery appearance, spots
Light brown apple
moth
Larvae, eggs, scarring, webbing
in bunches
Mildews
Powdery appearance
Mealybugs
Honeydew (sticky liquid) and
sooty mould between bunches
Mites
Blemishes, scarring on
bunch stalks
Spiders
Webbing
Scale insects
Thrips
Viruses
Black sooty mould
Blemishes, scarring on
bunch stalks
Spots
Refer to the Plant export operations manual for more
information on pests, diseases and contaminants of
export horticulture commodities.
www.daff.gov.au/plantexportsmanual