Today, it can be said that the solid foundations of harmonisation provided by the work of the OIV have enabled the sector to ensure a safe BREXIT.
Let us take a detailed look at how the OIV standards are recognised in the new agreement. From the outset, Article 2 of Appendix 5-TBT "Wine Trade" refers to oenological practices recommended and published by the OIV as the only relevant international standards.
The methods of analysis developed and published by the OIV are recognised in Article 3 of the same Appendix as reference methods for determining the analytical composition of wines in control operations.
The strength of the multilateral acquis and the confidence in the rules of the OIV have certainly helped to ensure unfettered trade. Wines will not need a VI-1 certificate like wines from other non-European countries. A self-report certificate will be allowed. The OIV also welcomes the absence of tariffs on wines.
It is now necessary to go further in simplifying administrative procedures and to speed up the implementation of electronic exchanges of administrative documents. The OIV hopes that the UK will actively participate in the discussion on e-certificate initiated at the OIV at Brazil's request.
In the context of BREXIT and all the changes it entails or will involve for the international wine trade, the involvement of as many countries as possible in multilateral discussions seems to be paramount for the sector.
The United Kingdom joined the OIV on 1st of January 2021 and became the 48th member of the Organisation. This membership greatly broadens the representativeness of the Organisation: OIV members now produce 85% of the world's wine and have a 70% share (up 5%) global consumption.
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The OIV welcomes the UK!
This regulatory amendment had been notified to the SPS Committee of the WTO at the end of 2020.
In particular, it concerns ammonium hydrogen sulfite, chitin-glucan, dipotassium DL-tartrate and polyvinylimidazole-polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVI-PVP) copolymer.
The ministerial order also stipulates the corresponding specifications for these four additives.
Used to improve the clarification and stability of wines, these additives – along with their monographs – have already been approved by the OIV for several years. With this new decision, Japan acknowledges the OIV’s scientific and technical work in oenological practices and specifications of oenological products.
The decision by the Japanese government is yet another example of the importance of the OIV’s work in the international harmonisation of existing practices and standards. This work is crucial to improving the conditions under which vitivinicultural products are produced and marketed, and for taking consumers’ interests into consideration.
Sources
- MHLW Amendment _202001015 (in Japanese)
- Ministerial Order No.3 (in Japanese)
Objective: Support to the Director-General of the OIV in his political and communication functions
Key assignments
- Cabinet coordination, composed of the DG secretary and communication unit, which is composed by a press executive and a project manager.
- Agenda and programming. Public and private activities. Meetings. Official trips, work trips, field trips, tours, interviews, etc. Coordination with the DG partner's activities agenda, coordination of DG representatives or delegated spokespersons.
- Proposals for the Communication Strategy. Execution. He/She directs relations with the press, broadcast of communications and audiovisual material, newsletters, etc. oversees the management of the image of the OIV and protocol in sponsorships, acts, travel and public appearances of the DG or of the person representing him by delegation.
All information and recruitment conditions here
This unique global compendium, first database of grape varieties across the world, was established by Kym Anderson and Signe Nelgen and published by “University of Adelaide Press” in December 2013.
The Honorary President of the OIV Peter Hayes wrote about the book awarded in 2014 (OIV Award in the Viticulture category), that in addition to the density of data the publication can offer:
“This volume captures the longer-term and recent evolution of the varietal mix and balance within the global wine sector.
Its systematic treatment and correlation of varieties to a consistent identity/nomenclature together with the introductory analysis and commentary provides an excellent basis from which to review the diverse, comprehensive coverage of planted areas by country, region and variety.
It will no doubt be of considerable value to researchers, students and those planning future investment in the vineyard base for the sector.”
No doubt remains today as to the value of these enriched and updated statistical data. The reader will find answers to many questions relating to grape varieties: from the most cultivated to the less known, local, modest or forgotten, and will find at the same time a lot of information including on the changing trends in consumer behavior.
Free online access here
General purpose and how will the course be organised
The main objective is both to train professionals and experts in the field of “Ampelography and Genetic Resources”, and to create a pole and experts network who can exchange continuously around this important topic for the vitivinicultural sector. To achieve this, the courses are designed in collaboration with international actors and the OIV relied on the knowledge and experience of important technical, research and training centres from France and Spain:
- France - Montpellier, in cooperation with IFV (Institut Français de la Vigne et du Vin), INRAE (l’Institut national de recherche pour l'agriculture, l'alimentation et l'environnement ) and the Institut Agro Montpellier SupAgro -, with its extensive experience in this area, was initially scheduled to run the course in July 2021. Given the international health context and in order to provide better conditions for the participants, this important worldwide ampelography centre has decided to postpone the course due to force majeure to July 2022.
- Spain - Madrid. For its first edition1 the OIV International Course in Ampelography should take place at the beginning of September 2021 with the Vine Varieties Collection of "El Encín", Alcalá de Henares (Madrid), belonging to IMIDRA (Instituto Madrileño de Investigación y Desarrollo Rural, Agrario y Alimentario). It is an important centre of reference in the Community of Madrid and Spain where the agri-food and agro-environmental research projects are carried out.
In the following years the OIV wishes to expand this pole and experts network and carry out the course in other countries in Europe, and subsequently in the Southern Hemisphere. In this sense the 5th training day is dedicated to the next country hosting the International Ampelography Course and to the evaluation of the acquired knowledge.
To guarantee a harmonisation and training quality in the courses run in the different countries, an evaluation of the acquired knowledge will be carried out and the OIV will deliver a course certificate to attest attendee participation.
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1 The 2021 edition will depend on the health context due to COVID. More information to come in May.
Who can apply?
Vitivinicultural sector professionals, researchers: a diploma in agronomy sciences or equivalent experience in this area is required.
The OIV course in ampelography brings comprehensive knowledge in the science of grapevine varieties to all professionals of the vitivinicultural sector. Initially the courses are intended for professionals working in the fields of viticulture, genetic resources, plant material of the vine or in the field of research. The following years will be open to other professionals in the sector: participants wishing to update their knowledge in ampelography and / or knowledge of the vine and its varieties, experts in the vitivinicultural sector to enhance their activity through knowledge of grapevine varieties and who wish to share additional information with the general public eager to know more and more about the vine, its varieties and the products they consume.
The following years will be open to other actors in the sector: any experts wishing to update their knowledge in ampelography, a field which is undergoing major changes; professionals in vitivinicultural tourism.
Why enrol in this course?
The present-day vitivinicultural sector is facing increasing environmental and social awareness and good management of the genetic resources of vine now clearly the only viable way to meet these challenges. Our sector is fully aware of these challenges which are at the heart of the OIV's Strategic Plan 2020-2024.
Other concerns have arisen such as the revaluation of old, native grape varieties, adaptation of foreign grapevine varieties or the consideration of new varieties (for example those resistant to biotic and abiotic stress).
Course overview:
- Language: Spanish / English / French
- 15 participants in order to respect social distancing
- 5-day course
- Practical, leading-edge knowledge
- Highly-qualified teachers from various countries
- The assurance of an international network of experts in the field
- Yearly registration (each country edition will require its own registration procedure)
- An OIV course certificate in ampelography
More information on fees and the registration procedure will be available soon.
For further details, please send an email to: oivampelography@oiv.int
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