THE S0UTH AFRICAN SYSTEM OF INTEGRATED PRODUCTION OF WINE (IPW)
August 2006 A Tromp, IPW, PO Box 2176, Dennesig, Stellenbosch, 7601, Tel: (021) 8093143
1. INTRODUCTION
Integrated
Production of Wine (IPW) is a system whereby Mother Nature is employed
to her full potential with as little human interference as possible.
When implemented correctly this system leads to both environmentally
friendly and profitable wine production. Legislation in the form of the
Scheme for the Integrated Production of Wine was published on the 6th
November 1998. Under this Scheme it is granted that by planting
vineyards monocultures were established that have already caused
interference in the environment. This Scheme aims to ensure to the
consumer that, granted this limitation, we would produce wines as
environmentally friendly as possible. Our System is also unique because
of the encompassing research that has been done over many years by the
ARC Infruitec – Nietvoorbij and more specifically, Dr. C A de Klerk and
his team.
Guidelines for farmers
were first published in 1993 and after several changes, which
eventually also included the wine making process and packaging, were
finalized in 1997. The Wine and Spirit Board played a leading role in
this effort in that they took the needs of the wine industry into
account and appointed an IPW Manager to drive the Scheme for
introduction in 2000. It was decided that there should be no logo for
this wine, but that the concept that most South African wines are made
under this system should be recognized by and sold to the world. SOUTH
AFRICAN WINES ARE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY
2. PARTIES INVOLVED
The
following role players were involved from the beginning: The Wine and
Spirit Board; ARC Infruitec – Nietvoorbij; the Cape Wine Cellars
Committee; the Association of Cape Estate Wine Producers; the
Independent Vignerons; the KWV; IP Deciduous Fruit Producers’ Trust;
the Cape Wine and Spirit Institute; the National, Western and Northern
Cape Departments of Agriculture; the University of Stellenbosch; the
Fertilizer Society of South Africa; the Plant Protection and Animal
Health Association (AVCASA); Wines of South – Africa; Winetech; the
Wine Marketing Association (WMA); the South African Society for
Oenology and Viticulture; the Elsenburg Old Boys Union and the League
for Viticulture and Oenology Students of the University of
Stellenbosch. The South African Wine Industry Council. (SAWIC), which
was recently created, is also a staunch supporter. All sectors and
facets of the South African Wine Industry have joined hands – WE
PROCEED AS ONE
3. MEMBERSHIP
At the start of the
2005/2006 harvesting season 400 cellars, producing wholesalers and
bottlers representing 90% of all wine grape production was signed in.
IPW IS THUS PRODUCER DRIVEN!
4. WHY IP – WINE?
There
are quite a few very good reasons why the South African Wine Industry
decided to walk this path under the guidance of ARC Infruitec -
Nietvoorbij.
4.1 NEED There is a need with everybody concerned in
the South African Wine Industry to keep adjusting production processes
to render them ever increasingly environmentally friendly.
4.2 PROFITABLE PRODUCTION
The
application of local research results have saved the local industry
millions of Rands and all indications are that this will continue in
future.
4.3 THE SOUTH AFRICAN INDUSTRY COMPLIES
As
the focus of the South African research drive has always been on IPW
along with profitable production, the dynamic South African farmers and
cellar masters found themselves, with the 1999 practice round, to be
mostly within the restrictions of the IPW guidelines and that only
minor adjustments were needed to actually produce such wines in 2000.
New and more stringent legislation is currently being taken up in the
guidelines.
4.4 CONSUMER COUNTRIES
The modern consumer has
sophisticated needs. This has had the effect that they are requiring
guarantees from wine producers as to the constitution of wine and its
safety for consumption while being adamant that the environment should
be left as pristine and undamaged as possible. Our system, which is
specifically aimed at sustainable agriculture and which is thus viable
over the long term, is adjusted in such a manner that these two
consumer requirements are met.
4.5 THE INTERNATIONAL WINE ORGANIZATION (OIV)
The
OIV which is situated in Paris, France where the Governments of 40
countries get together to decide on vine and wine legislation, recently
passed a Resolution: “DEVELOPMENT OF SUSTAINABLE VITIVINICULTURE” This
is very important as this has caused easier acceptance of our system by
consumer countries.
4.6 UNIQUE SYSTEM
The system that has been
developed and implemented in South Africa is truly unique as, in
contrast to other systems in other countries, it includes processes
from the start of production such as soil preparation through all
production processes and even up to the recyclability of the packaging
material of the final product. From the outset cellar guidelines was,
therefore, included.
5. TECHNICAL BASE
The true strength of our IPW system lies in its sound technical base. A few instruments ensure this.
5.1 IPW COMMITTEE
A
Committee of Experts has been appointed and their frame of reference is
to adjust the guidelines and scheme with regard to technical aspects.
The Committee consists of: Dr P G Marais (Distell), Mr J H Booysen
(Winetech), Mr C. Albertyn (KWV), Me E Allsopp (ARC), Mr P de Kock
(AVCASA), Mr B Diederichs (Fertilizer Soc.), Mr J H van Rensburg
(Distell), Mr J Goosen (NDA), Mr T Momberg (CEWPA), Mr D Morkel (IV),
Mr J Brand (CWC), Mr B Stipp (WMA), Mr P Snyman & L Dippenaar
(VINPRO), Me I Waller (Winetech), Me Sue Winter (BWI), Mr L Ellis
(WCDA) Mr L van Schoor (Enviroscientific) and Mr A Tromp (IPW,
Convenor).
5.2 GUIDELINES
We have a set of guidelines that have been implemented. (Point 7).
5.3 THE SCHEME
The
Scheme for the Integrated Production of Wine was published on 6
November 1998 under the Act on Liquor Products and will fall under the
jurisdiction of the Wine and Spirit Board and the National Department
of Agriculture. This Scheme gives the legal backing, should it be
required.
5.4 AGCHEM
This committee, consisting of
approximately forty researchers, producers, and representatives of
chemical companies is responsible for the classification of all
registered chemicals, which are to be applied in orchards and vineyards
for their suitability in IP Wine.
6. GOALS
6.1 TRAINING
To ensure that the Scheme is correctly implemented, everybody concerned will undergo training.
6.2 SUPPORT OF A NICHE AREA
Winetech
is an Institution in the wine industry responsible for the collection
and distribution of research funds and as it regards IPW as a niche
area for the wine industry this will mean sustained financial backing
for Research and Generic marketing of the concept. It is a rib in the
ribcage of our long - term industry plan, “Vision 20/20”.
6.3 GLOBAL ACCEPTANCE
To
aid in the global acceptance of IPW it is important to promote it as
fast as possible on world forums and more particularly, the O.I.V. to
enable producer- and consumer countries to be satisfied as to the
working of, and the guarantees supplied by IPW.
6.4 PHILOSOPHY
Our
system does not have goals that are cast in cement. The goal posts will
definitely be shifted as technology and knowledge expands and to
address the needs of the consumer. This system does not aim to reach a
set goal, but strives toward ever-extending goals. IT IS MIND-SET, NOT
A RIGID SYSTEM!
7. GUIDELINES
The guidelines are the
written base of the concept. This is the way by which the producer can
assure the consumer that he buys into a set of rules and guidelines,
which are both encompassing and exhausting. A points system which has
to be self applied by the producer and which is audited along the way,
ensures that producers will comply with the aims of the Scheme before
they can produce IPW wine. A total of 15 aspects for vineyards and 13
for cellars are addressed to assess whether a wine qualifies as an IP
Wine. Please find the guidelines appended or visit www.ipw.co.za
8. TRAINING
Training
must be given at all levels. Between 1998 and 2005 more than 4000
persons, have been trained at a one – day course presented by the
ARC/WSB and thus have an IPW training Certificate. The curricula of the
University of Stellenbosch, as well as the Elsenburg Training Centre
where diplomas in viticulture and oenology can be obtained were also
amended to include the IPW system.
9. SELF ASSESSMENT
One
of the strong points of IPW is the self- assessment system that has
been decided on. This means that every producer must fill in the
guidelines on a self- evaluation form that is then controlled by and
filed at the cellar where his grapes are pressed. The cellars also have
to fill in a self-evaluation form that is then faxed to the IPW office
for filing. Auditing will be done on a spot check basis by ARC
Infruitec – Nietvoorbij and Enviroscientific on farms and cellars.
Recently about 50 Controllers have been appointed (mostly at larger
cellars) to form a further checking level. (also click on the audit
button of this website www.ipw.co.za). It is an easy task for buyers of
wine to check the documentation themselves.
10. INTRODUCTION OF IPW
As
mentioned previously almost all producers registered in 1998 and 1999.
The 1999 harvest was regarded as a dress rehearsal to start selling
most of our wine as IPW since May 2000.
11. MARKETING
The
marketing of IPW is, of course, very important and the WINETECH
Marketing Committee that is masterminding the Industry Strategy called
“VISION 20/20” has also taken IPW under its wings.
12. FINANCING
The
system is producer driven and paid for at a cost of R133 per primary
producer (farmer) per year. Differentiated fees on a per tonnage basis
for cellars make up the rest of the required funds with small cellars
(under 100 tons) paying R133 and large cellars (above 25 000 tons) R 15
900. Co-operative cellars will collect and pass on the fees of their
own member farmers. The financial committee of the Wine and Spirit
Board handles the budget.
13. THE FUTURE
It is really of
the utmost importance that everybody should understand exactly how the
system works. It is also important to realize that this is not a system
of enforcement, but that the participants are part of it because they
want to be. The honesty of participants, the fact that an audit system
is in place and the fact that we are saving money while looking after
the environment and even aspects of human health is what is making this
system a winner and which will keep us in the market because of its
built in consumer guarantees.
Ipwe 2006 Aug.
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