Pesticide residues in wine
The associations of the Pesticides Action Network Europe (PAN-Europe), including the MDRGF, publish the results of an analysis campaign carried out on wines from Europe and around the world and denounce the generalized contamination of these wines by residues of pesticides.
The Study. The study was coordinated by PAN-Europe, and supported by the MDRGF for France, Global 2000 for Austria and Greenpeace Germany. 40 bottles of red wine were analyzed, from France, Austria, Germany, Italy, Portugal, South Africa, Australia and Chile. 34 were from intensive farming and 6 from organic farming.
Results: 100% of wines from intensive agriculture tested contaminated. In fact, each tested sample contains on average more than 4 different pesticide residues: the most contaminated of them containing up to 10 pesticides!
Contamination level: 5800 times higher than for drinking water! The contamination levels in this study are variable and do not exceed the maximum authorized limits (MRLs). However, it should be noted that there is no wine MRL itself but that we refer to those used for grapes which are very high. It should also be noted that the contamination levels observed in wine are considerably higher than the levels tolerated for pesticides in water since we have found in certain wines tested quantities up to more than 5800 times greater than Maximum Admissible Concentrations (MAC) authorized by pesticide in tap water!
Sanitary risks. These numerous residues testify to a very intensive use of pesticides in viticulture. Among these residues found, many molecules are possible or probable carcinogens, developmental or reproductive toxicants, endocrine disruptors or even neurotoxicants.
Organic wines. The organic wines analyzed do not contain pesticide residues with the exception of a sample of Burgundy in which we found small quantities of a product. This presence is explained by the drift of sprays from neighboring plots. This contamination of organic wine growers, although rare and in small quantities, is completely unacceptable. Here it reminds me of something, a certain precautionary principle mentioned in GMO matters.
“The study carried out by PAN and the MDRGF shows that the very intensive use of pesticides in viticulture - 20% of pesticides used on 3% of the agricultural area - results in the systematic presence of numerous residues in wines. It is high time, in accordance with the Grenelle decisions, that viticulture reduce its consumption of pesticides to reduce exposure of consumers by favoring alternative techniques to pesticides. These are the alternative systems that the MDRGF is promoting during the 3rd pesticide-free week, which takes place from March 20 to 30. »Declares F. Veillerette, President of the MDRGF and administrator of the PAN-Europe network.
"In addition, representatives of the French government will have to do everything to ensure that European legislation on pesticides in preparation eliminates the most dangerous pesticides and favors systems that greatly reduce, or do without completely, these toxic substances" adds F. Veillerette .
download the full study:
http://www.mdrgf.org/pdf/Rapport_vin_pesticide_fr.pdf
Download the press release :
http://www.mdrgf.org/pdf/CP260306_Vin_residus.pdf
read the Liberation article of March 27:
http://www.liberation.fr/actualite/econ ... 823.FR.php
Knowing that the MRL (maximum residue limit) authorized in viticulture is 5800 times higher than that authorized in water, and in view of this study on wines, what about grape juice that we can to drink or that we can give our children to drink?
The grapes are pressed with their skin, the pesticide residues go directly into the juice. And we are of course entitled to ask the question, by extension, for all other fruit juices.
) Pesticide residues potentially present must meet strict standards allowing daily consumption without risk to health.