During this meeting, Mr Jean-Marie Aurand recalled the missions of the OIV and elaborated on the challenges faced by the vitivinicultural field as they are defined in the 2015-2019 OIV Strategic Plan. He also emphasised the involvement of the South African experts within the OIV, expressing the wish that this may be expanded into the table grape sector, where the expertise of South Africa is recognised in international markets.
H.E. Mr Rapulane Molekane stressed the importance of consensus regarding the methods by which OIV standards and recommendations are drawn up. He also expressed his satisfaction with the cooperation between his country and the OIV, adding that he would like to see strengthened collaboration where issues related to water management are concerned.
This conference was placed under the patronage of the International Organisation of Vine and Wine with Dr Jean-Claude Ruf, Scientific Coordinator of the OIV, acting as president of the conference, accompanied by Mr Salvador Manjón, Director of SEVI.
A large number of participants from the vitivinicultural sector attended the conference.
After meeting with the President of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, Ms Awilo Ochieng Pernet, Mr Aurand presented the objectives, missions and actions of the OIV, emphasising the common sectors of activity (additives, contaminants, methods of analysis, grapes, etc.) to which the OIV can and should contribute its international expertise to ensure that the specificities of the vitivinicultural sector are addressed within the Codex.
In the presence of Professor Michel Thibier, President of the Committee on General Principles, and of Mr Tom Heilandt, Secretary of the Codex Alimentarius, the Director General of the OIV expressed his satisfaction with this meeting, which enabled many government representatives from non-Member States of the OIV – particularly in Africa and Asia – to discover the OIV's activities and discuss work of common interest that could be developed between the two organisations.
