Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources Horticulture Centre of Excellence Director, Dr Sze Flett, said the new system will help to improve efficiency when preparing grapes for export. “Around 70 per cent of table grape growers are situated in Victoria so we know the value this technology will bring to our agricultural industry.”

“The new online system allows grape growers to map, compile export registration information, and monitor pests, in a system which is in line with the Australian Department of Agriculture export requirements. It will also save growers hundreds of dollars each year by streamlining the workflow for Australian and international inspectors to conduct physical audits on their farms.”

Australian Table Grape Association (ATGA) CEO, Jeff Scott, said in the past export records were compiled manually and sometimes did not meet the necessary standards. “We would see everything from hand drawn crayon maps to downloaded google images of farm patches and would spend hours helping our members to create documents to meet export requirements. The whole process is streamlined to comply with federal regulations and means that inconsistencies have been eliminated. It also makes our export markets much more comfortable knowing that all our records are secure, online and transparent.”

There are currently about 200 ATGA members registered to use the new system, with more expected to sign up in the future years.

After signing up, members attend a compulsory workshop on how to use the system and then receive a secure and confidential password.

“It is certainly a valuable and much needed investment in our industry and the association is very grateful for the support of the DEDJTR in making this a reality,” Scott said.

Table grapes are Victoria’s second largest horticulture export, valued at AUD $232m in 2014.

For more information, visit: www.australiangrapes.com.au/export-registration