During this meeting, the Codex Alimentarius Commission adopted several standards, some of which have a direct impact on the international vitivinicultural sector.
With regard to additives in wine (category 14.2.3), the Member States of the Codex Alimentarius approved the inclusion of carbon dioxide among those subject to GMPs, with the following note: “The CO2 content in finished still wine shall not exceed 4000 mg/kg at 20°C”.
Four additives, regarding the "Grape wines" category in particular, were added to the priority list of the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee (JECFA) for toxicological assessment. These were, namely, tannins, yeast mannoproteins (INS 455), potassium bisulphite (INS 228) and metatartaric acid (INS 353).
Furthermore, the Commission adopted a number of Maximum Residue Limits for pesticides used in the production of table grapes or dried grapes.
The existing limits for these pesticides, listed below, were revoked and replaced by the following limits:
Note: With regard to MRLs, the OIV Secretariat has put together a list of online links on the website www.oiv.int. The list includes information available concerning maximum residue limits applicable to grapes (table, wine and dried grapes) and to wines (where relevant).
This information is based on:
- notifications from Member Countries, as requested in adopted OIV resolutions,
- notifications made by countries to the WTO,
- other sources: Codex Alimentarius, EU, the USDA MRL database.
The full report of the 38th session of the Codex Alimentarius may be viewed online at http://www.codexalimentarius.org/meetings-reports. The next Codex Alimentarius Commission session will take place from 27 June to 1 July 2016.
The 2015 report concerns the vitivinicultural production potential, surface area under vines, global wine production and consumption, wine export and import volumes, in addition to production of grapes for direct consumption and dried grape production.
In 2014, the world area under vines rose to 7573 kha
Global grape production reached 737 mql in 2014
2014 world wine production (excluding juice & musts) is estimated at 270 mhl
World wine consumption in 2014 is estimated at 240 mhl
With 24 mhl consumed worldwide in 2013, rosé wines represented 10% of the market
2015 World vitivinicultural situation
Mr Nico van Opstal (the Netherlands), President of the Association, specified the importance for the attachés in charge of agricultural issues to better understand international organisations and that it was necessary to develop this type of direct relationship.
Mr Jean-Marie Aurand, who has been assigned to Madrid as an agricultural attaché during his career, emphasised the relay work carried out by the ambassadors in addition to their role in promoting the viticultural realities of their country. He indicated that he wished for this initiative to be updated and expanded.
Monika Christmann elected as President
Having been involved in the activities of the OIV for around 20 years, Prof. Dr. Christmann was unanimously elected by the States present. An oenology teacher and researcher at the Geisenheim Research Institute, she was formerly President of the OIV "Oenology" Commission and OIV Vice-President for 3 years, after being elected by the Scientific and Technical Committee.
Monika Christmann will be supported in her new role by a new Steering Committee, since the General Assembly also elected the following as:
President of the "Viticulture" Commission: Benjamin Bois (France)
President of the "Oenology" Commission: Luigi Moio (Italy)
President of the "Economy and Law" Commission: Tony Battaglene (Australia)
President of the “Nutrition and Health” Commission: Nuria García Tejedor (Spain)
President of the "Methods of Analysis" Sub-Commission: Ondrej Mikeš (Czech Republic)
President of the "Table Grapes, Raisins and Unfermented Vine Products" Sub-Commission: Luis Peres de Sousa (Portugal)
Grapevine trunk diseases (GTD) have become a real problem during the last years.
OIV also, has started up again the work in this sense according to its Strategic plan and work program, which first action was settled down in 2006 (VITI 02/2006 resolution) but some actions are needed nowadays in order to complete this resolution about preventive measures.
It is important to underline that this topic is evaluated by several initiatives and actions developed at national or international level.
The OIV Secretariat general has wished to elaborate a document underlying the importance of this topic, the ongoing works and the need for an international cooperation.
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