07/12/2009 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 7 December in Florence, around 1000 wine producers from 20 countries in Europe adopted a “European wine producers' manifesto”. In a press release the eco-gastronomic organisation Slow Food made a commitment to practising sustainable winegrowing. In this charter, signatory wine producers coming together on the initiative of the Tuscany Region and Slow Food organisation called on the authorities to refrain from obstructing their work with rules adapted to industry but not to their own specificities. The draft charter explains that wine producers who support this manifesto are taking responsibility for protecting and improving soil fertility and balanced ecosystems. It also calls for an end to using molecules from artificial and synthetic organisms and therefore supports quality over quantity. (L.C./transl.fl)