Strong biosecurity is essential to protect the Australian cherry industry from exotic pests and diseases that could have a devastating impact on fruit quality, reduce access to markets and impact grower livelihoods. CGA has strong representation for the cherry industry within the national biosecurity framework, working with growers, packers, Plant Health Australia, and state and federal agencies to maintain and strengthen preparedness in the event of an incursion.
Plant biosecurity is a range of measures which, combined, help to protect the economy, environment and community from the negative impacts of plant pests which are not present in an area. Having a fully functional and effective biosecurity system is vital in ensuring the future productivity, profitability and sustainability of horticulture industries, as well as preserving the Australian environment and way of life.
Biosecurity is overseen by the Australian federal government under the Biosecurity Act 2015. The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) administer this Act which largely applies to goods, people and conveyances arriving from overseas.
Additionally, each state and territory has separate legislation which sets out the requirements for bringing goods into that state or territory. Together, this legislation is designed to prevent the introduction and spread of unwanted pests and diseases and give authorities the appropriate tools and mechanisms to respond should an unwanted pest or disease arrive. To learn more about biosecurity in each state, visit the links below:
In Australia, biosecurity is everyone’s responsibility. If we all work together, we are more likely to identify unwanted pests and diseases early and eradicate them quickly. While this is best practice, it is also an obligation to report suspected exotic pests or diseases under a general biosecurity duty.
Found something unusual? If you suspect an exotic pest or disease, call the Exotic Plant Pest and Disease Hotline on 1800 084 881.
When an exotic plant pest or disease is detected in Australia, it begins a swift chain of events that are governed by the Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed (EPPRD) of which CGA are a signatory. The EPPRD is a government-industry partnership that outlines roles, responsibilities and actions within a response, and sets out the cost sharing requirements. Affected industries may contribute costs to a response when it is in their best interest to do so.
If a pest or disease affects, or is thought to affect, cherries, a representative from CGA will attend a meeting of the Consultative Committee on Emergency Plant Pests (CCEPP). This committee will decide, based on the information at hand, if the pest meets the definition of an Emergency Plant Pest, if it is technically feasible to eradicate, and if eradicating it is cost beneficial.
Where the CCEPP agrees by consensus that all criteria are met, they provide advice to the National Management Group (NMG) that a response plan, created by the state or territory where the pest was found, be approved. The plan is then implemented following approval by the NMG, of which a representative from CGA will also attend. A response plan is created in accordance with PLANTPLAN, a subsection of the EPPRD which is a framework for biosecurity responses, ensuring responses are carried out consistently and can begin quickly.
As the response continues, there will be regular CCEPP check-ins on progress towards the aims and objectives, with advice given to either continue the response, continue with some changes, or cease the response if the pest or disease appears to have established in Australia.
A function of the EPPRD is Owner Reimbursement Costs. As CGA are signatories to the EPPRD, if a government agency directs a commercial grower to destroy a crop, they will be eligible to be reimbursed for costs lost. Keeping accurate records of cost of production is therefore important, as this may be used to determine compensation. Each industry may have an ORC framework detailing how costs are calculated. CGA are currently reviewing the ORC framework in conjunction with Plant Health Australia to ensure it remains current.
During a response to a pest that affects or may affect cherries, the jurisdiction leading the response will invite an Industry Liaison Officer to join the Incident Management Team (IMT). The ILO will be someone who has, or can easily obtain, knowledge about the industry in that region, passing this knowledge on to the IMT for effective decision making, and on to local growers and the wider industry as appropriate.
Cherries currently have trained ILOs, but we can never have too many. If you think you have sound knowledge of the industry in your region and would be willing to step in at short notice, please contact our Biosecurity Officer at biosecurity@cherrygrowers.org.au to discuss attending a training.
To be prepared for the possible arrival of unwanted pests and diseases, CGA ensures the industry is well prepared, largely through the industry biosecurity plan, developed by Plant Health Australia in conjunction with CGA, growers and government experts. The plan covers determining the High Priority Pests for industry, identifying Exotic Pests to Monitor, and a five year biosecurity action plan to strengthen industry preparedness. The plan is reviewed regularly to ensure actions are being carried out and to identify any change in risk.
CGA have a dedicated biosecurity support project, which aims to further strengthen biosecurity preparedness.
Active project
Biosecurity Support Project
Strengthening industry preparedness against pests and diseases.
Increasing on-farm biosecurity provides further protection against unwanted pests and disease. It can provide an extra layer of comfort against exotics and also prevent pests and diseases present elsewhere in Australia from entering your property. Below are some useful tips and resources to bolster on-farm biosecurity:
CGA works with a range of biosecurity stakeholders to deliver excellent biosecurity outcomes for the industry.
Director
Coming Soon
Director
Tony Hannaford is a cherry grower from South Australia, producing based predominantly in the Torrens Valley of the Adelaide Hills.
Tony’s family have a long history of orcharding. Tony introduced cherries in 1985 and now has multiple varieties spanning a long season with fruit delivered across Australia and the globe. This is all supported by the latest technology in the packing shed.
Tony has long supported and been active for the cherry industry – having also served on the Cherry Industry Strategic Investment Advisory Panel.
Director
Nic Hansen is a fourth-generation cherry grower based in Southern Tasmania and brings deep grower knowledge and long-standing industry involvement to the CGA Board.
Nic grows sweet cherries at Old Beach and is part of Hansen Orchards, one of Tasmania’s largest cherry growing businesses. He has previously represented Tasmania as the State Director on the CGA Board and has served on the HIA Cherry SIAP, contributing to national industry planning and decision-making.
Nic is currently serving his second term as President of Fruit Growers Tasmania. He brings a strong grower perspective, practical experience, and a commitment to effective industry leadership, supporting CGA’s role as the national peak body for Australian cherry growers.
Honorary Treasurer
Grant Piggott has been Chief Executive Officer of Fruit Producers SA, the grower association for cherries in South Australia since 2023 and served as its representative on the Cherry Growers Australia Board from June 2024.
He brings significant experience in finance, strategy and commercial management. He is a qualified Chartered Accountant, a member of Australian Institute of Company Directors and has served for 15 years as an elected member in Local Government.
Grant treasures his childhood on a wheat sheep farm in the Upper North of South Australia, still owned by his family. He has maintained links to primary production for almost 30 years of his working career, primarily through his senior management role at the Royal Agricultural & Horticultural Society of SA.
In his short tenure as industry representative, he has developed a passion for the successful growing and marketing of quality cherries. Grant is convinced of the deserved glamour status of cherries – healthy, photogenic, delicious, easy to eat and inextricably associated with the joy of Summer and Christmas.
Following his involvement as part of the team which guided the change of Cherry Growers Australia to a company limited by guarantee in May 2025, Grant was invited to serve as a Director on the Board in September 2025 and was appointed Treasurer.
Director
Andrew Fairley bio coming soon
Director
Fiona has been an active participant in the cherry industry for 25 years. She was President of NSW Cherry Growers in the past and has served on the cherry Strategic Investment Advisory Panel (SIAP) for past 5 years.
Fiona is currently a board member of Apple & Pear Aust Ltd (APAL) and the FAR (finance, audit and risk) committee for APAL. APAL manage domestic and international brands of produce including Pink Lady® apples. APAL is also the PIB for the 400 plus growers of Australia.
Fiona manages the business activities of BiteRiot, reporting to a board each month. She brings a wealth of experience across corporate governance & strategic planning, finance, business and marketing to the CGA board.
Deputy Chair
Greg Perry brings extensive leadership experience across the cherry industry, infrastructure, and project management, with a strong focus on governance, strategy, and commercial oversight.
Raised in the cherry industry, Greg has a deep understanding of production challenges and the importance of long-term industry sustainability. He is the Managing Director of a project management consultancy, delivering complex infrastructure, development, and operational programs across multiple sectors.
Greg has held senior leadership and board-level roles in both industry and government-aligned organisations, including service on the NSW Cherry Growers Association board and advisory roles supporting strategic planning, regulatory compliance, and investment decision-making. His experience spans financial oversight, risk management, stakeholder engagement, and guiding organisations through periods of structural change.
Greg brings a practical, solutions-focused approach to the CGA Board, with a strong commitment to governance integrity, member representation, and supporting the continued growth and resilience of the Australian cherry industry.
Chair
I grew up on our family farm in Wandin and picked cherries at an early age.
I loved the camaraderie of working with people and still do today. It is a buzz that makes coming to work enjoyable regardless of what you are doing!!
I studied to be a secondary Art and Craft teacher. However, I wanted to work in the industry first so worked in design and sales in the textile industry in Melbourne and Sydney.
Missing the family business in Sydney I returned to the family, cherries, and WandinValley Farms.
In 2007 our family bought the remaining shares in Wandin Valley Farms, and we all became involved in the business.
In 2016 I became the CEO of Wandin Valley Farms.
I am proud of what we do and the industry we are involved in. We produce a product that is fresh, flavorsome, healthy and creates excitement all bundled in with Christmas and Summer!!
Elected to VCA committee 26th October 2009
Elected to President of VCA 17th October 2013
Elected to President of CGA 24th January 2024
