The conference of the International Federation of Wines and Spirits (FIVS) was dedicated to new challenges for the vitivinicultural sector, particularly in social and societal terms, and to their consideration by the companies.
It gave rise to many speeches from experts on social responsibility and environmental matters, as well as from institutional representatives.
Jean-Marie Aurand gave a presentation on the new challenges for the vitivinicultural sector and the OIV's strategy to accompany these developments.
He pointed out the growing globalisation of the vitivinicultural market on a worldwide scale and, within this context, the need to both improve the competitiveness of companies and meet the increasing expectations of consumers and citizens – with regard to the quality and diversity of products as well as environmental protection.
The OIV, through its technical and scientific expertise (brought by almost 1000 experts from the scientific community and also, to a considerable extent, from the professional sector), thanks to its procedure of taking decisions by consensus, and due to the fact that it is highly representative (with 46 producer and consumer Member Countries accounting for over 85% of world wine production and consumption), is at the centre of these concerns.
The standards and guidelines drawn up by the OIV in relation to the identification of vitivinicultural products, specifications of oenological practices, methods of analysis and labelling rules guarantee the quality, identity and longevity of different products while also contributing to the fairness of trade by minimising obstacles to commerce.
Finally, the Director General praised the quality of the relationship between the OIV and the FIVS, stressing the high level of involvement of industry representatives in the work of the Organisation and their very constructive contributions on all levels.
