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With the question "30 percent organic share by 2030 - What would have to happen for this goal to be achieved in viticulture?", the leaders of the Federal Association of Organic Viticulture Ecovin, Petra Neuber and Andreas Hattemer, met with the Federal Minister of Agriculture, Cem Özdemir. As Hattemer said, the framework conditions for a growth of organic viticulture are not yet right, neither on the producer nor on the consumer side. The topic of restrictions on plant protection is of particular concern to Ecovin representatives: "In these extreme climatic years, our winegrowers need effective plant protection, i.e. a certain degree of yield security. The few substances available in the organic sector and the EU plans to reduce the amount of agents applied could jeopardise this security," Neuber explained. Minister Özdemir had promised to stand up for the interests of organic viticulture in the European negotiations on plant protection and to seek alliances with his colleagues. Only a few days ago, Özdemir had criticised a planned EU regulation on the use of pesticides, which in his view would put fruit and wine growing in Germany at a disadvantage. However, he said, he was behind the goal of halving the amount of pesticides used by 2030.
The minister was also considering support for the cultivation of Piwi grape varieties and pledged support to convince more consumers of the benefits of organic farming. Ecovin Federal Chairman Andreas Hattemer summed up after the talks: "We are pleased that the Federal Government sees the need for action and wants to bring the added value of organic farming more strongly into society. The Ecovin association represents 235 member farms, which cultivate about a quarter of Germany's organic land.
(al / source: press release)