Keystone-SDA
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October 13, 2024 – 8:09 p.m.
(Keystone-ATS) The International Organization of Vine and Wine (OIV), a sort of “UN of wine” which brings together experts in the sector, called for “sustainable development” of the vine on Sunday, at the end of a ministerial meeting in France.
“The effects of climate change amplify” the challenges facing the vine, underlined 37 members, out of 50, participating in the meeting at the OIV headquarters in Dijon (east).
The signatories encourage “reservoirs of biodiversity, such as grape varieties and the entire ecosystem that surrounds them, by limiting soil erosion, capturing carbon (…) and reducing waste”, adds the ministerial declaration, the first in the history of the organization which is celebrating its centenary this year.
The OIV has set itself the “objectives” of “supporting innovation, ambitious, resilient and sustainable cultural and oenological practices (…) as well as biodiversity such as the conservation and use of diversity in the vine, the exploitation of new varieties of vines and efficient water management”.
The “sustainability” of vines and wine is also understood in “economic and social” matters, explained at a press conference the director general of the OIV, the New Zealander John Barker, emphasizing in particular the need for the sector to adapt to the decline in wine consumption.
Soon China
Created on November 29, 1924 by eight countries (Spain, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Portugal, Tunisia), the OIV today brings together 50 States, covering 88% of world wine production, with the absence notorious of the United States, who slammed the door in 2001, after the failure of their presidential candidate. Switzerland is a member.
China will become the 51st member state in November.
The organization is not political but brings together technical and scientific experts who exchange information on the sector and try to harmonize standards at the international level.
