Managing grapevine nursery stock can be a complicated task, especially if interstate rules differ regarding certification or pest quarantines. The Washington Winegrowers Association is asking the Washington State Department of Agriculture to change two administrative codes: one on grape certification, the other on pest quarantines.

According to the group, the request stems from three years of work by a three-state working group to create a regional approach for grapevine virus certification. The aim is to harmonize quarantines and regulatory programs for grapevine nursery stock certification in Idaho, Oregon and Washington.

Winegrape growers, wineries and nurseries can learn more at an informational session to be held at 1 p.m. Feb. 11 in Vista Hall, at Springhill Suites in Kennewick, Wash. The meeting coincides with the first day of the Washington Winegrowers Annual Convention being held nearby in the Three Rivers Convention Center.

The regional work on these issues was funded by a USDA grant, Harmonizing Protocols in the Northwest — a Pilot Project Driven by Stakeholders. Wine industry stakeholders from the region took responsibility to drive development of this harmonized approach. The work focused on state agency rule development and quarantine alignment in all three states. The final product will serve as a national blueprint for quarantine harmonization.

The information session in Kennewick aims to help stakeholders better understand proposed changes to nursery certification programs and quarantines in Washington, Idaho and Oregon. The meeting will review the requested changes and proposed language to nursery certification rules at the WSDA. Attendees will learn about quarantine restrictions and hear an update on grapevine growing regulations. They’ll also learn about the proposed changes planned in Oregon and Idaho over the next year.

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