Spray drift damages Canberra & NZ vineyards

Days after reports of spray drift damage to New Zealand vineyards, Canberra winemakers have revealed their vines are affected by illegal spraying.

Helm Wines owner Ken Helm told Daily Wine News that vineyards in the Hall and Murrumbateman regions have sustained vine damage from deforming weedicides 24D and MCPA, which have links to "Agent Orange“ used in Vietnam can cause major loss of crop and deforming the growth which can continue in the plant for two years.

"I have been growing grapes for 40 years in the Canberra district and we have been frustrated  by people illegally spraying weeds and allowing the spray to escape their property and damage our incomes, I AM OVER IT," he said.

There have also been reports of a helicopter spraying in the Hall district.

Helm has approached the EPA, YASS Valley Shire, Southern Slopes Noxious Weed Authority and Government, demanding legal action be taken.

Meanwhile, up to eight vineyards in New Zealand's Martinborough have reported damage to vines from spray drift, with some expecting significant crop losses as a result.

Taranaki Daily News reports samples have been collected by the Greater Wellington Regional Council to try to discover exactly what has caused the damage, and it's investigating reports of activity relating to a helicopter in the region on November 21.

Samples from foliage are currently being analyzed.

Murdoch James Estate Winery technical director David Bloomfield told Taranaki Daily News that initial assessments pointed towards damage from herbicides.

"Some of these sprays can drift up to 10 kilometres even on a still day. There are eight vineyards in the immediate vicinity that seem to be damaged. We could have severely reduced crop levels."

New Zealand Winegrowers Association chief executive Phillip Gregan said vignerons faced the same problem every year, with everyone from councils to contractors to farmers often inadvertently being responsible. 

"It's very costly to those who are affected. These sprays can actually kill vines and even wipe out vineyards."