Wine Australia’s Strategic Plan 2025-30 identifies ‘Invest in the development of improved and/or innovative vineyard practices, and techniques to manage vineyard pests and diseases more sustainably’, as a priority research and innovation topic for the Australian wine sector.  

Australian agriculture is increasingly recognising the need to move away from reliance on chemical pesticides and inputs. Growing regulatory pressure, rising resistance in pests and diseases, environmental impacts, and shifting consumer and market expectations are all making chemical-dependent systems less viable. There is an increasingly urgent need to identify and accelerate access to new, sustainable alternatives for crop protection that support productivity, profitability, and environmental stewardship. 

To address this, Wine Australia, in collaboration with the Plant Biosecurity Research Initiative (PBRI), is inviting proposals for a global horizon scan and analysis of access barriers to chemical alternatives. The aim is to identify the most promising emerging technologies for managing pests and diseases across plant industries, and to map out safe, sustainable, and effective tools that can reduce reliance on chemicals and strengthen Australia’s biosecurity.

The project will explore solutions with technology readiness levels (TRL) of 4 to 9, covering biological, genetic, digital, mechanical, and chemical innovations, as well as novel delivery systems. The successful applicant will deliver a comprehensive report that identifies key technologies, assesses their maturity and suitability for Australian conditions, and evaluates regulatory, commercial, and adoption barriers. The work will also provide case studies and detailed recommendations to guide investment and coordination between RDCs and government.

Stakeholder engagement is central to the project, with consultation across research providers, developers, RDCs, growers, and regulators such as APVMA and OGTR to validate findings and ensure practical outcomes. 

Full details, including scope, deliverables, evaluation criteria and submission requirements, are available in the Request for Proposal document.

Submissions and enquiries should be directed to Robyn Dixon, Program Manager – Biosecurity, Pest and Disease, via research@wineaustralia.com.

The submission deadline is 19 December 2025 at 5pm (ACDT). The project is expected to commence in February 2026, with completion required by December 2026.