Paris, 7 of January 2021 – The l5′ January 2021 marked the return of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the International Organization of Vine and Wine, making it the 48th Member Country integrated by the Organization.
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was an active member of the former OIV from 1973 to 2004, and, as signatory of the Agreement of 3rd April 20 01, finalized recently the necessary steps to ratify this Agreement and join the new OIV.
UK is one of the largest wine markets in the world. In 2019, ranking 10th in the world, UK recorded about 13mhl of wine consumption, of which wine imports comprised a share of more than 95%. In fact, the UK is a historical international trade platform and in 2019 it was the 2nd importer in the world in terms of both volume (13.5mhl) and value (4 bn EUR). In recent years, the English hills have been covered with vines. The production of wine is still relatively small (about 150khl), but the growth experienced over the last years has been exponential, especially for what concerns the production of sparkling wines (about 120khl), benefiting from an increasing in warm temperatures and a chalky terroir.
By becoming a member of the OIV, the UK will benefit from the information, cooperation and services of a network of around 1000 experts. These contributions from the vitivinicultural sector and the scientific community are all the more important in the current Brexit context. These links enable the UK to take part in the fundamental decisions concerning the evolution of the sector and to raise its voice by becoming one of the 48th decision- makers in such an important area.
The cooperation of Member states within the OIV is a key factor for better communication, more effective legislation and therefore more transparent and fruitful trade in the vitivinicultural sector.
The OIV is the intergovernmental organization of a scientific and technical nature of recognized competence for its work concerning vines, wine, wine based beverages, table grapes, raisins and other vine – based products.
It is composed of 48 Member States. In the framework of its competence, the objectives of the OIV are as follows:
To inform its members of measures whereby the concerns of producers, consumers and other players in the vine and wine products sector may be taken into consideration. to assist other international organizations, both intergovernmental and non- governmental, especially those that carry out standardization activities. to contribute to international harmonization of existing practices and standards and, as necessary, to the preparation of new international standards in order to improve the conditions for producing and marketing vine and wine products, and to help ensure that the interests of consumers are taken into account.
