Former president of the International Federation of Wines and Spirits (FIVS) for almost 17 years, Finkle boosted the Federation to impose its place in the vitivinicole’s industry, particular as an active observer to the OIV and the Codex Alimentarius. The OIV wishes to pay tribute to the memory of a passionate man who has been entirely devoted to the improvement of the world’s vitivinicole industry and would like to extend its deepest sympathies to his family.

James Finkle

James P. Finkle served as the Chairman of the Board of Managers of FIVS-Abridge, a comprehensive interactive online database of regulations and international agreements for the wine industry. He retired as Senior Vice President, External Affairs, for Constellation Brands, Inc. and was a member of the Executive Committee of the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States. Additionally, Mr. Finkle was on the Board of Directors of the Wine Institute, Wine America, and the Associated New York State Food Processors and assisted the US Department of Agriculture’s Technical Advisory Committee for Trade. He received both his Bachelor of Science Degree and his Master of Science Degree from Cornell University, both degrees in Viticulture and Agricultural Economics.

Bolivia, who was a member of the Organisation from 1993 to 2004, is one of the signatory States to the Agreement of 3 April 2001 but has not yet formally ratified it, partly due to the reforms it has made to its national constitution in recent years.

The Director General of the OIV highlighted the defining features of Bolivian vineyards, namely the "vinos de altura" (wines of altitude) or Singani spirit, which are significant elements of South America's vitivinicultural heritage and should bring the country's vitivinicultural sector to rejoin the global wine community within makes up the OIV.

H.E. Mr Guevara Ávila indicated that the accession procedure is underway and that he hopes that it would be completed by the end of the year 2015.

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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