1. SELECT COMMITTEE MEETING
Presentation on the re-accession to the international organisation of vine and wine
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
24 June 2004
Presenters: M E Mogajane, W Jonker and J Rathebe

2. Departmental structure

3. Intenational Organisation of vine and wine (OIV)
BACKGROUND
OIV is an intergovernmental organisation of scientific and technical nature
Established in 1924
South Africa has been member since 1963
Discussion on the review of the old OIV started in 1996 at a General assembly in Cape town, South Africa
The resolution to review the old OIV was approved in 1997
This led to establishment of new treaty on 3 April 2001
So far 35 member countries has ratified the treaty
The purpose of this discussion is to request parliament to give support and approve South Africa accession to the treaty of April and termination of the membership to the old OIV.

4. WHY A REVIEW OF OLD OIV
The old OIV was dominated by French interest with Eurocentric approaches
Working language was predominantly French
All previous Director Generals were French
Decision making was dominated by weighted votes in favour of large world producers

5. BENEFITS OF THE REVIEWED OIV
There will be enhanced participation as a result of usage of 5 languages
English, German, French, Italian and Spanish
Technical decisions will be based on sound scientific evidence
Decision making on scientific resolutions – consensus based
Voting will be used for budgetary matters and elections of presidents of Commissions and Sub-Commissions
Increased transparency especially on budgetary and administration of the organisation
Agreement has been made to formulate a strategic plan for the next 3 years
Strategic plan supported by annual operational plans
South Africa has a small research capacity thus continued membership will beneficial as it provides a formal platform for exchange of information for researchers
Upgrading of website will ensure better and easier access to information
Communication will be enhance through –Press office

6. International Organisation of vine and wine (OIV)
Establish international norms and standards on wine and vine products
Set guidelines on
New wine making practices and techniques
Product definition and labelling
Food safety principles(especially public health matters)
Harmonise standards on wine and vine products
Facilitate trade
Promote collaboration and sharing of scientific research

7. Working proceedures The OIV work through
General assembly (constituted by all member countries)
An executive committee meeting
Commissions, sub-commissions expert groups etc
Important for South Africa to participate at all levels of standard setting
Expertise lie in both government and industry
The treaty shall be reviewed if two thirds plus one of members approve a request to that effect

8. AGREEMENT
OBJECTIVES
To inform its members of measures taken on wine and vine where concerns of producers, consumers and other players are taken into consideration
To inform and guide other international organizations with standards on wine and vine
To contribute to international harmonization of existing practices and standards

9. Main activities To promote and guide scientific and technical research
Draw a framework of recommendation in the following fields
Grape production
Oenological practices
Definition and or description of products
Informative labeling and marketing conditions
Methods for analysis and assessing vine products
Submitting proposals to member states on
Guaranteeing the authenticity of vine products –consumers especially with regard to information provided on labels
Protecting geographical indications especially wine and vine growing areas
Improving scientific and technical criteria for protecting new plant varieties

10. Main activities (cont)
To mediate between countries upon request
To monitor, evaluate and inform member states in good time on scientific or technical developments
To help protect the health of consumers and contribute to food safety
To foster technical cooperation between member states
To take account of specific features of each member systems for producing vine products
To contribute to the developments of training networks relating to wine and vine products
To contribute to the promotion or recognition of the world vine and wine growing heritage
To gather, process and disseminate information and communicate it
To re-assess regularly the effectiveness of its structures and working procedures

11. IMPLICATIONS Renewal of membership has no additional financial burden
OLD OIV
South Africa had 4 votes
Cost per unit were determined annually by General assembly
For 2003 cost per unit were Euros meaning that SA paid Euros per annum
NEW OIV
Votes that a country will have is dependant on its position in the vitivinicultural world
SA will have 2 base votes (all member countries have 2 base votes) and 1 additional vote
Cost will be calculated according to mutually agreed formula as indicated in Annexure 1 of the agreement (this is based on a formula calculated from the countries position in the vitiviniculture world
Total contribution amounts to euros per annum

12. The biggest market for South Africa

14. Finally
Important that South Africa participate in standard setting of wine and vine
To guard against our own interests
To ensure standards are not Eurocentric but are scientifically based
South Africa should participate in the discussions on the formulation of the strategic plan
Form a strong partnership with industry to
Promote trade
Deal with food safety issues
Create sustainable employment
THANK YOU