Time flies and the written word remains...
The difficulties of our time – yet, has there been a time in history without suffering? – remind us again and again of the need to unite in our efforts, each with our own capabilities. My intention here, therefore, is not to shake up this downturn. On the contrary, I have the pleasure of announcing the high-quality 2021 OIV Awards, to which numerous specialist readers and sector professionals around the world have done us the honour of contributing by evaluating the candidate publications.
The writers, photographers, researchers and website creators to whom we are preparing to give recognition* demonstrate their commitment to vines, wine and their “authors”, continuing on a literary form of conviviality – in both the real and virtual worlds. This link, which goes all the way back to ancient banquets, continues to this day, thanks to them.
This 2021 vintage of the OIV Awards thus looks set to take place under the auspices of harmony between tradition and renewal: tradition due to the quality of the texts, recounting advanced research work; renewal thanks to the originality of publications, both in terms of their themes and editorial creativity.
The “necessity” of literature alongside wine, of the enrichment of the classical and digital global vitivinicultural library, and of the transmission of knowledge on vine and wine no longer has to be proven.
We welcome and congratulate professionals from these two sectors who – at the OIV and in authors’ thoughts – are working together.
Then, too, there are, I think, topics of discussion that are particularly suitable for a drinking party. Some are supplied by history; others it is possible to take from current events; some contain many lessons leading to philosophy, many to piety; some induce an emulous enthusiasm for courageous and great-hearted deeds. If one makes unobtrusive use of them to entertain and instruct one’s companions as they drink, then not the least of the evils of intemperance will be taken away.
Plutarch, Table Talk, book I, question 1 (Mor. 614a-b)
* Meeting at the start of September for the deliberation of the 2021 International OIV Award Jury.
On World Food Safety Day, the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV) aims to draw attention to the actions of its 48 Member States as well as to promote the vitivinicultural sector as a driver of good practice and the sustainable food system.
Science plays an important role in food safety. As the scientific and technical reference for the world of wine and vine, the OIV is working with other intergovernmental organisations on this year's theme: “Safe food today for a healthy tomorrow”.
Consumers at the centre of the OIV's attention
Food safety requires all actors in the food chain to play their part in managing high food standards. The main objective is to provide answers to the expectations and concerns of consumers.
Within this framework, the OIV develops production standards, techniques and analysis methods to guarantee the identity and authenticity of vitivinicultural products.
One of the core missions of the OIV is to contribute to the protection of consumer health and the safety of the products. The "Security and Health" commission, with its "Food Safety" group of experts, is responsible for this. This expert group develops safety assessments and advice on wine treatments, processes and practices, as well as on the identification of risks for workers and consumers. Currently, the group is releasing several scientific reports on the safety assessment of various elements in wine such as aluminium, cadmium and zinc. Three OIV expertise documents on the assessment of lead, sulphites and arsenic respectively have been published.
Consult files here [EN]
Lead in Wine: a review
SO2 and wine: a review
Arsenic and wine: a review
Related news
Consensus between the OIV and the Codex on the proposed limits on lead
OIV-Codex Alimentarius cooperation on emerging issues
The need for international cooperation
To ensure food safety, international cooperation is necessary. The OIV closely collaborates with other intergovernmental bodies such as the Codex Alimentarius, the FAO and the WHO. Each of them brings its own specialisation to achieve a global vision of food safety.
A recent example is the adoption of the same lead limits for wines and fortified wines/liqueurs between the OIV and Codex Alimentarius on proposals to ensure consistency in standards and international trade. It is fortunate that Codex can rely on the OIV as a technical and scientific intergovernmental organisation of reference in the wine sector.
Mutualisation of information on food safety and interdisciplinary collaboration are two pillars to achieve a more resilient and sustainable agri-food system. More information on the FAO/OIV collaboration here.
A commitment with sustainability
The OIV's role in healthy and sustainable food is twofold: it relies on the United Nations SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) and on the principle of sustainability.
The Strategic Plan 2020-2024 and its strategic objectives have been guided by the different issues the international vitivinicultural sector has to face up to, but also by a desire to integrate, into the work of the Organisation, the 2030 outlook of the United Nations SDGs. The OIV is committed to 13 out of 17 of the SDGs, and is supporting its members in their implementation in areas relevant to its mandate of financial stability and sustainable and inclusive economic growth.
Food Safety is crucial to enhance the sustainability of food systems and eradicate hunger and malnutrition in line with SDGs.
Alongside, the OIV undergone a long work of consensus to reach a definition of sustainability (2004) and Guidelines for the implementation of principles of sustainable vitiviniculture (2020). The OIV believes that all collective organisation of the vitivinicultural sector should facilitate the dissemination of a holistic management culture and stimulate the development of local networks committed to sustainability Objectives.
All these science based tools are meant to develop innovative, holistic and feasible “food chain” solutions.
For more information please contact: Barbara Iasiello, OIV Safety & Health Head of Unit, sanco@oiv.int.
