PROVISION OF SECRETARIAT SERVICES TO
THE NATIONAL VINE HEALTH STEERING COMMITTEE

1. INTRODUCTION
The Grape and Wine Research and Development Corporation (GWRDC) seeks expressions of interest from suitably qualified and experienced organisations, for the provision of Secretariat Services to the National Vine Health Steering Committee (NVHSC), commencing in January 2008.

2. NATIONAL VINE HEALTH STEERING COMMITTEE
Established in November 1998, the National Vine Health Steering Committee (NVHSC) brings together industry, State Governments and the Commonwealth to determine and implement uniform national policies and programs on vine health.

The NVHSC comprises members from the two peak industry bodies - the Winemakers' Federation of Australia (WFA) and Wine Grape Growers Australia (WGGA), all State Governments, the Australian Vine Improvement Authority (AVIA) and the Grape and Wine Research and Development Corporation (GWRDC).

The Committee is Chaired by the Chief Plant Protection Officer of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF).

2.1 Mission Statement
To apply risk management principles to achieve the highest attainable phytosanitary and sanitary status for the viticultural-based industries of Australia.

2.2 NVHSC Terms of Reference

2.2.1 To provide strategic leadership in identifying national plant health issues and developing national industry policies and programs.

2.2.2 To abide by the following principles:

• Decision-making is by consensus.
• The policies of the NVHSC do not supplant the policies of the respective NVHSC member organisations. Therefore, NVHSC policy is only achievable when consensus is achieved.
• Where consensus is not achievable, the right to influence and/or determine R&D priorities and pest and disease management programs reverts to NVHSC stakeholders.
• Apply pest risk assessment principles consistent with the World Trade Organisation (WTO) treaty, notably on Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) and Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) issues.

2.2.3. Having the authority and responsibility to coordinate exotic and endemic vine health issues of national importance.

2.3 Membership

• 3 representatives nominated by WGGA
• 3 representatives nominated by WFA
• 6 representatives nominated by SCARM (Standing Committee on Agriculture and Resource Management) agencies (NSW, SA, Victoria, Tasmania, Queensland, WA)
• 1 representative nominated by AVIA
• 1 representative nominated by the R&D Corporations (Horticulture Australia Ltd, GWRDC)
• 1 Commonwealth Government representative
• 1 independent Chairman (the independent Chair may be the Commonwealth representative)
• Vice Chairman to be selected from the SCARM representatives

3. THE SERVICES
3.1 To act as the Facilitator/Secretariat of the National Vine Health Steering Committee (NVHSC), in accordance with the Terms of Reference.
3.2 To facilitate NVHSC business and meetings to ensure commitment from NVHSC members to the process of enhancing national grape vine health and improved quality, through:

• the provision of technical advice and solutions to policymakers
• protocol development
• coordinated industry-government interaction relevant to vine health
• technical support, input and impetus to governments, peak industry bodies and funding bodies.

3.3 To ensure that NVHSC meeting agendas, presentations, times and venues enable meeting the goals of progressing national grapevine health in terms of:

• technical advice for risk assessment and risk minimisation
• sourcing and coordinating information
• problem solving with motivation for innovation reaching industry and governments
• research reviews
• evaluation of impacts on vine health of changing industry influences and practices, government responses and supporting policies
• updating of protocols
• progressing industry knowledge through communication and identification of roles and responsibilities
• enhancing cross-industry communication where mutual plant health risks exist and resources can be shared with potentially synergistic benefits.

3.4 To coordinate and facilitate the establishment, operational reporting and evaluation, wind-down and operations of National Technical Reference Groups (NTRGs), as required.

3.5 Provision of leadership, broad awareness (beyond members), preparedness, response, motivation and direction to identifying national vine health issues.

3.6 Development and implementation of uniform national programs with set technical standards, such that Australia achieves high health status of vines and grapes, by consensus.

3.7 To optimise the benefits and outcomes from technical knowledge and work on improved pest and disease policies and management at the national level – through communication (publications, website, presentations) and motivation for training, workshops, consultation and liaison with expanded network of allied personnel and organisations that influence vine health (PHA, Plant Health Committee, AQIS, Biosecurity Australia, CRC Plant Biosecurity etc).

3.8 Apply for and harness broader funding support for proactive work on industry biosecurity, nursery-related viticulture health issues affecting table, dried and wine grapes.

3.9 Provide copies of all meeting Agendas, Minutes and Protocols developed as part of the Services and such other relevant documents as the GWRDC may reasonably request from time to time.

4. TERM OF THE SERVICES
The term of the Secretariat Services is one year:

Commencement Date: 1 January 2008
Completion Date: 31 December 2008

5. COST OF THE SERVICES
Prospective providers should indicate the cost for the provision of the Services, including:

• Operating costs (Committee and NTRGs)
• Committee travel and expenses
• Administration / office costs

As a guide, the Committee meets formally in Adelaide 2-3 times per annum (or as otherwise determined by the Committee’s work program), Technical Reference Group meetings are in addition to scheduled Committee meetings.

6. SPECIFIED PERSONNEL
Prospective providers should specify the Personnel to be assigned to the provision of the Services, their qualifications and relevant experience within the grape and wine industry sector.

7. INSURANCE
Prospective providers are required to hold the following insurance coverage:

7.1 Professional Indemnity Insurance
(i) Amount: Not less than $10,000,000 in respect of any one claim and in aggregate
(ii) Period: During the term of the Services and for a period of 6 years after the completion of the Services.

7.2 Public Liability Insurance
(i) Amount: That the number of claims made or reported is unlimited in respect of any single accident or event for an amount of not less than $10,000,000.
(ii) Period: During the term of the Services and for a period of 6 years after the completion of the Services.

8. SUBMISSION DEADLINE
Expressions of Interest must be received by the GWRDC by no later than 5pm, Friday 16 November 2007. Please forward 3 (signed) hard copies of your submission to:

Grape and Wine Research and Development Corporation
PO Box 221
GOODWOOD SA 5034

AND email a copy to: applications@gwrdc.com.au

FURTHER INFORMATION
For further information, please contact Keith Hayes (R&D Program Manager)
Tel: (08) 8273 0500
Email: keith@gwrdc.com.au