Experts from European Union member states, meeting in Brussels on 23 and 24 October, postponed their vote on renewing the authorisation to use copper in agriculture, which is a highly sensitive issue for organic winemaking (see EUROPE 12062).
The European Commission has suggested there should be a limit of 28 kilos per hectare over seven years, with the smoothing mechanism (possibility of exceeding the threshold of 4kg/ha/pa if, in years with weather conditions leading to less mildew, the vine has not been treated as much).
Nonetheless, several member states forming a blocking minority considered this proposal too tolerant and objected to the smoothing mechanism. The Commission may have to reconsider for voting in November or December.
EU professional organisations were calling for the authorisation for copper to be renewed on the basis of the current criteria (seven years, limit of 6kg/ha/pa with smoothing over five years) while, in July, the Commission’s proposal – which was then relaxed – provided for five years, with a cap of 4 kg/ha/pa, albeit with smoothing. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)