Development of sustainable vitiviniculture

RESOLUTION CST 1/2004

DEVELOPMENT OF SUSTAINABLE VITIVINICULTURE

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY,

UPON PROPOSAL of the Scientific and Technical Committee, and after having been informed of the works of the group 'ad hoc' on integrated production

CONSIDERING the guidelines for integrated production in viticulture defined by IOBC which notably aim to promote viticulture that respects the environment is economically viable and to secure a sustainable production of grape products of high quality;

CONSIDERING that the states adopted during the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development which having met at Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) several principles with the goal of establishing a new and equitable global partnership through the creation of new levels of co-operation among States, key sectors of societies and people, and with working towards international agreements which respect the interests of all and protect the integrity of the global environmental and developmental system,

CONSIDERING resolutions Viti 1/98 and Viti 1/2002 voted at the 78th and 82nd General Assembly of the International Office of vine and wine on the need to conserve the greatest diversity of world grape varieties in order to maintain the diversity of vine products;

CONSIDERING resolution Oeno 2/97 voted at the 77th General Assembly of the OIV which recommends greater consideration of environmental parameters within oenological techniques of making wine and other vine products;

CONSIDERING resolutions Viti 4/98 and Viti 2/99 voted at the 78th and 79th General Assembly of the OIV on the importance of better managing and directing the development of viticultural areas by zoning studies

CONSIDERING resolution Viti 1/99 voted at the 79th General Assembly of the OIV which recommends, generally speaking, the harmonised development of strategies of the integrated production of vineyards in particular by culture techniques that favour conservation of the environment and the reduction of risks of parasites or pests;

OBSERVES the existence of different approaches and national regulations concerning in particular reasoned, integrated and sustainable production;

DECIDES to adopt the following elements as general principles of sustainable development applied to vitiviniculture.

These general principles can be adapted as needed depending on social, regulatory, economic cultural aspects and the natural climatic and soil conditions of each country and its regions.

RECOMMENDS that the program for the development of sustainable vitiviniculture should be developed as a priority in the context of the OIV strategic plan and these works continue in collaboration with the OIV experts groups concerned in order to establish a guide in which the different guidelines and implementation of the general principles as defined below, should be developed.

DEVELOPMENT OF SUSTAINABLE VITIVINICULTURE

I. Definition

Global strategy on the scale of the grape production and processing systems, incorporating at the same time the economic sustainability of structures and territories, producing quality products, considering requirements of precision in sustainable viticulture, risks to the environment, products safety and consumer health and valuing of heritage, historical, cultural, ecological and aesthetic aspects.

II. Objectives

to produce grapes and wines which meet consumer demands
to protect the health and assure the safety of consumers
to protect the health and safety of producers and staff associated with production;
to promote the use of mechanisms of natural regulation;
to minimize environmental impacts linked to viticulture and the transformation process
to promote sustainable vitiviniculture from an environmental, ecological and economic stand point
to maintain biodiversity of viticulture and associated ecosystems;
to minimize the use of input and energy;
to effectively manage waste and effluents;
to preserve and develop viticultural landscapes;

III. Implementation

to develop a strategy taking into account regional or national networks;
to undertake an assessment of global production system;
to develop assessment criteria to measure progress made with this strategy
to adapt the strategy to local and territorial specificities;
to evaluate technical pathways on the basis of qualitative economic constraints, consumer safety and environmental aspects;
to develop practices related to precision techniques;
to establish an improvement plan starting from an initial assessment and a regular progress report based on adapted environmental indicators; these criteria being potentially used by producers in their communicaton with consumers;
to integrate sustainable development into the training of management, and staff and into internal organisation policies.