Wine professionals are authorized to temporarily exceed the quantity of copper-based treatments to fight against downy mildew in the vine, according to a decree published on Sunday in the Official Journal.
"The phytosanitary situation of the vineyards requires strengthening the protection of vineyards with high or exceptional pressure from mildew", explains the text.
Thus, the authorized annual quantity of plant protection products containing copper, which should not usually exceed 4 kg of copper per hectare, is exceptionally increased to 5 kg / ha for 2021. However, this derogation is subject to a restriction.
"A level of performance of a weakness never seen for 45 years"
Indeed, copper inputs over 7 years (2019-2025) must not exceed 28 kg / ha in accordance with European regulations which take into account the risks and impacts of copper on the environment and health.
All winegrowers, whether in organic or conventional viticulture, are affected by this decree "in force for a period of 120 days".
The mildew attacks "a large part of the French vineyard (except Mediterranean frontage) following the bad weather which raged from mid-June until today", recalls the text.
“Protection against mildew is necessary for another 2 weeks, to protect the foliage in order to maintain production potential and quality in an already degraded context,” he emphasizes.
The French wine harvest should be down from 24% to 30% in 2021, the French Ministry of Agriculture announced on Friday, citing a level of yield of a low level not seen for 45 years.
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