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The association Alerte aux toxins denounced this Wednesday the presence of pesticide residues in 22 wines certified High Environmental Value (HVE).

The rates recorded are all the same "overall relatively low", according to the analysis laboratory.

The association wanted to measure "the differences between the beautiful promises [...] and the reality of this label which would be equivalent to organic", explains the spokesperson for Alert to toxics, Valérie Murat.

Analyzes of pesticide residues in wines, the results: HVE still greedy in pesticides!

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Toxic Alert!

https://t.co/2KgvoYANDH

- isabelle perraud (@cotedelamoliere) September 16, 2020

“Relatively low” contents

Out of 160 molecules of phytosanitary products sought, 28 were found in the wines analyzed (Bordeaux, Champagne and Languedoc).

All of the 2015 to 2019 vintage bottles contained endocrine disruptors, 11 carcinogens, mutagens and reprotoxic (CMR), and four bottles a neurotoxic or substance that could harm the fetus.

"Overall, the levels found […] are relatively low, many are not even quantified," said Vincent Bouazza, head of the fine chemicals unit of the Dubernet laboratory, author of the analyzes.

As for the cocktail effect of the residues, "they are several million times less concentrated than ethanol, the most harmful product in a bottle of wine," he believes.

A label to recognize environmental efforts

For its part, the Interprofessional Bordeaux Wine Council (CIVB) denounced "an intellectual swindle".

"The products found are at doses 50 to 1,000 times lower than the authorized limit", specifies the organization.

The HVE standard was created in 2012 by the Ministry of Agriculture.

The certification recognizes the efforts of wineries and farms to reduce pesticides and chemical fertilizers, increase biodiversity and better manage water.

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