Objective number 1 Promote training and good practice transfer through a network of actors

Transcription

1 Since more than a year the French vine and wine sector, supported by FranceAgriMer is mobilized to outline an Action Plan to fight against the declining of vineyards. This collective momentum is a commitment based on 4 main objectives. The French wine professionals, with the support of FranceAgriMer, have decided to join forces to combat the decline of vineyards observed over the past few years and revive the competitiveness of the sector. The plan to combat decline has been built in conjunction with all concerned agencies and professions, starting from plant production up to wine selling. This plan is based on a critical know-how inventory carried out in 2015 by the firm BIPE, following a European call for tender and is a forward-looking, strategic analysis and innovative approach to the sector giving rise to defining new priority action plans. The combat plan reflects willingness to act on all levels in a concerted manner with available means on line with the objectives at stake. The plan is based on unique professional governing and relies on a specific accompaniment measures and is integrated in a long-lasting and multi-year endeavor. Acting without delay, on all fronts, entails giving the keys to wine growers in view of limiting decline, while taking into account their economic and regulatory constraints. It also involves working with nursery vine growers and fully integrating them into this approach. At the same time, it involves undertaking a European-scale scientific program, jointly developed with research teams while addressing previously identified gaps. React, yes, but how? The four objectives of the plan include: The 4 objectives of the decline plan are complementary and interact with each other in a global approach. Objective number 1 Promote training and good practice transfer through a network of actors Objective number 2 Produce vine plants in a partnership with vine nurseries. Objective number 3 Anticipating crises by coordinating vineyard observation networks and identifying corrective actions. Objective number 4 Promote research responding to wine sector expectations through renewed partnerships with the scientific community. Why should we reason on decline issues and not solely on wood diseases? Because focusing on wood diseases has prevailed over the past ten years, and has not been successful. The mission led by FranceAgriMer and CNIV in 2015 has demonstrated that in order to fight more effectively against erosion of yields and high vine mortality in a sustainable manner, it is necessary to take into account all biological attacks affecting French vineyards (virus, fungus, bacteria, phytoplasmas, etc). Growing practices, operation strategies and technical and economic constraints must likewise be taken into account. This overall approach changes the perception of decline: the objective is not only to provide a scientific or technical solution to certain pathologies, hoping to find a «disease elimination solution». It appears necessary to also provide a different response to this increased susceptibility to stress for every vine growing region. 2. VINE MATERIAL SUPPLY 1. THE VINE GROWER AT THE HEART OF THE FIGHT STEERING GROUP 4. RESEARCH INNOVATION DEVELOPMENT 3. VINEYARD OBSERVATORY

2 Who does what? Driven by the profession The action plan to combat vineyard decline is piloted by a supervisory board and a steering committee within the framework of the CNIV* (Comité National des Interprofessionels du Vin à AOC et IGP/ National Committee of Protected Designation of Origin and Geographical Indication of Origin wines). These two councils are assisted by the joint monitoring committee, which associates the concerned bodies, particularly the IFV (Institut français de la vigne et du vin/the French National Vine and Wine Institute), Inra (Institut national de la recherche agronomique/ National Institute of Agronomy research), FFPV (Fédération française de la pépinière viticole/french Federation of viticulture nurseries), along with development advisors and training contributors. With the support of the French State and Europe Registering vineyard decline as a priority must encourage policymakers to agree to a specific procedure to support the combat against decline plan. This would encompass a joint procedure between the profession and the State. Budget wise, inter-branch organisations have announced their commitment of 1.5 M in The overall budget is thus estimated at 3 M /yearly. The State is requested to indicate the terms of its participation in the plan to fight decline piloted by interprofessionals. Contact : Christophe Riou delegate cr@cniv.asso.fr This provision could take the form of an agreement between the CNIV and FranceAgriMer. The European Union has a role to play by registering the fight against decline in the Horizon 2020 priority programs. A concerted action with other concerned European countries shall be carried out with this objective in mind. Project team The organization and the coordination of the action plan have been entrusted to Christophe Riou, the Deputy Director of the IFV, as delegate of the «fight against decline» mission for the CNIV. IFV shall also contribute to innovation-research actions. Inra has entrusted Dominique Agostini to ensure the gobetween with the research teams and the professionals involved in the action plan. She shall be more particularly in charge of drawing up a scientific program while developing research partnerships in France and throughout Europe. The team will include inter-professional technical directors and qualified persons among the program partners. What is decline? The notion of decline indicates an annual decrease of vine plant productivity and/or its premature, sudden or progressive death related to multiple biological or environmental factors and agricultural practices that can weaken the vine overtime and/or trigger an irreversible process in the absence of means to control damage. CNIV Comité national des interprofessions des vins à AOC et IGP Commits resources for carrying out national decline action plan MONITORING COMMITTEE Associates all players SUPERVISORY BOARD Composed of professional representatives of IFV Interprofessionals and financial institutes by Jean-Marie Barillère STEERING COMMITTEE Composed of directors and Inter-professional technical managers and qualified experts Provides guidance Implements decisions of the supervisory board, coordinates a ensures plan s implementation

3 «Decline» analyzed in detail Prior to the action plan, a comprehensive scientific study The objective of this study was to draw up a synthesis of knowledge and highlight gaps, in view of working out proposals for future research. The survey firm BIPE mobilized a prospective method to highlight the links between the different viticulture system factors affecting vine plants (Micmac matrix method). All recent scientific and technical articles related to vine decline published in 5 languages (French, English, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese) were reviewed. About 70 factors susceptible to contribute directly or indirectly to decline vine these declines were identified. These factors can be biological (bacteria, virus, pests, etc.), physical (water stress, vineyard ecosystems, etc.) or related to cultivation practices (pruning, clipping, fertilization, pathogen management, etc). LOSS IN YIELDS ATTRIBUTED TO VINEYARD DECLINE IN 2014 The matrix analysis provides an overview of the situation: the yield and longevity display high agronomic and economic consequences and are mainly related to plant material, disease, cultivation practices and commercial strategies in compliance with standards rules and regulations. These are thus the key elements for understanding and fighting decline. The Matrix analysis was used to build a strategy, along with additionnal input from interviews with professionals in the regions and statistical data, in view of identifying the challenges and weak points of the current situation and particularly to imagine means of action. The action plan is the result of this study, completed by the expertise of a technical steering committee and the search for good practices in other plant sectors having experienced similar problems. What are the key findings of the study? Decline must be viewed as a global problem. There are different diseases, particularly wood diseases. But there are also vulnerability factors, the climate, viticultural practices, collective constraints, amongst others, which have similar effects. Fighting against vine decline effectively involves considering all these issues together. The problem is complex. Scientific know-how alone will not solve the problem. Vineyard decline is widespread: 75 % of the French vineyard includes sensitive vine varieties. This situation concerns all vineyards in Europe. The survey of scientific knowledge shows that the role of pathogens is fairly well-known. The effect of the land plot or the soil is less well-known and the impact of climate, the physiology of the grafted plant or the effects induced by the requirements of specification standards are known to an even lesser extent. Knowledge is focused on what negatively affects yields rather than on longevity. VINEYARD DECLINE REFLECTS A MULTIANNUAL DECREASE AFFECTING VINE PRODUCTIVITY AND/OR ITS PREMATURE, SUDDEN OR GRADUAL DEATH, BASED ON A MULTIPLICITY OF FACTORS: Biological attack Fungus, virus, bactéria, phytoplasms, pests etc. Viticulture practices and wine farm characteristics Environmental stress Socio-technical environment Advice, research, regulations, etc. These factors may potentially weaken the vine over time and/or tigger a process causing irreversible damage in the absence of means to control damage

4 Objective number 1 : Promote training and good practice tranfser through a network of actors. A. Encourage awareness and individual and collective action Planting, vine management, prospecting are at the heart of fighting vineyard decline. Mobilizing vine growers in the action plan is a key factor to ensure its successful outcome. This involves: Awareness raising and mobilizing for objectives and risks related to decline: overview of the situation, analysis of practices implemented, etc. Action at the wine farm level: regular surveying, attention to the quality of plant material, implementing good practices, contributing knowledge and collective referential, Collective mobilization with regard to surveillance provisions along with dynamics: management of decline action plan and adaptation of requirements specifications for wine appellations, etc. The sectorial and national public authorities should provide vine growers with means enabling them to be fully involved in the fight against vineyard decline. B. Actions of the sector to promote vine grower s proactivity In order to obtain short-term results, some actions need to be taken now. These actions are the responsibility of all the professional structures: inter-professions and sector decision-makers, cooperatives and syndicates: Systematically pass on information on the action plan at professional meetings and via all information providers. The objective is to bring awareness to vine growers along with shared understanding of the action plan by all the sector s collective structures. Develop an internet platform on vineyard decline in order to centralize information to be used as a collaborative tool, for monitoring vineyard provisions; Participate in the evolution of agriculture training referential by integrating vineyard decline as a central objective for viticulture professionals know-how. In the long term, the setting up of other actions shall mobilize an array of actors around inter-professions: Organize workshops days in the regions: presentations, field visits, testimonies and promoting existing training programs. Awareness and training of advisory personnel (public and private) on the detection and the management of vineyard decline. C. Promote measures for capitalizing and transferring know-how on the long term There are 2 objectives over the long-term: Making the largest number while guaranteeing the technical level of the operators. Drawing up a guide of good practices, accompanied by decision support tools for diverse situations, could be an efficient way to convey pertinent and quality technical information.. Improving integration of know-how while aligning expertise and training programs. This evolution involves improving the transfer of results of research through training and development. These objectives are, by nature, complex to steer due to the multiplicity of actors concerned. This thus requires the setting up of a suitable framework for activities involving the participation of public institutions. This could be the objective of a «National training and transfer Network». The action plan proposes to develop, such a network in 2016 with the objective of having an available functional mechanism from 2017.

5 Objective number 2 : Produce vine plants in collaboration with vine nurseries. Vineyard decline exacerbates the objective of supplying plant material. In terms of quantity, the demand for vine plants has increased due to grubbing and companion planting. In terms of quality, tomorrow we will need vine varieties adapted to epidemiological risks and to climate change. The 3 priority fields to relieve constraints affecting the sector include: Increase areas dedicated to mother vines nurseries according to a secure and innovative production model. Build key relation with the vine nurseries. Make the regulatory framework evolve. A. Increase areas dedicated to mother vines and evolution of nursery models In 10 years, the areas dedicated to mother vines have decreased by 23 % due to sanitary conservation of vine plants in a difficult economic context for operators unable to find a viable economic model. B. Partnership between nurseries and the viticulture sector It is necessary to establish appropriate sector partnerships with nurseries in line with the objectives faced. Focus is placed on setting up mutual-support mechanisms between nurseries and viticulture, based on commitments and counterparties. The first objective involves ensuring that the French market continues to have priority access to plant material in terms of quantity and quality. To meet this objective, it is necessary, to define and share needs for vine cuttings and plants two years in advance. Nurseries and vine growers will then commit to common objectives securing market opportunities and supplies in vine material. The second objective concerns the sanitary quality in France, which must be identified and valued on the market. Why not study the pertinence of a label with the origin of the root stock, graft and processing traceability? C. Make regulations evolve in favor of experimentation Given the shortage of supply of plant matter, the sector is called on to be committed to: Increasing areas for mother vines. Organizing supply and demand at regional level. The action plan reiterates the imperative objective for the sector to have autonomy in terms of quality plant material, while recommending the following actions: Reflect on long lasting stock nurseries models Develop farms dedicated to mother vines, isolated from the rest of the vineyards and protected against contamination and climatic variations. Collective financing of this potentially unprofitable production but of crucial interest for the sector. Above and beyond registering new vine varieties in catalogues and organizing the supply chain for spreading these new plant materials, it is important to lift the regulatory or standardizing obstacles in order to promote experimentation and accelerate the spreading process. Varietal innovation is a key element to be able to adapt to different factors that influence the actual and future wine production. -23% IN 10 YEARS THE AREA UNDER GRAFT NURSERIES

6 Objective number 3 : Anticipating crises by coordinating vineyard observation networks and identifying corrective actions From the simple monitoring of vine plant phenology to connecting socio-economic and sanitary data, each wine region has a multitude of (public or private) means for observing its own activity. Setting up a network of these different observatories for collective use shall enable reinforcing the capability of the sector to anticipate crises and to identify much more quickly levers for possible action. The information provided by such a observatory, will help to identify a crisis situation by monitoring different critera. The output data of the observatory thus becomes the input data for the crisis response procedure. Develop an evolving and intelligent network Every year, a great deal of data is collected on the scale of a territory, a wine farm or a land plot. The data frequently includes the direct causes of decline (prevalence of wood diseases, phytoplasm or viral diseases, etc.). Expanding the scale would however be necessary to cover all factors likely to intervene. Whether it is merely observing a dysfunction of a vine plant (visually known or unknown symptoms) or detailed monitoring of numerous necessary criteria for scientific studies (temperature, hydric stress, resistivity, etc.) collecting information can rely on traditional staging posts (technicians on experimental land plots, land plot networks, etc.) or on more innovative means (Vine growers records and declarations on smartphone, trained vine growers network, etc.). What could be this «network of networks»? The vineyards observatory could: Use the existing Geographical Information Systems or prompt the creation of a regional data platform which will enable to enter and consult data to analyzed by the players involved. Constitute a regional network of networks while seeking technical means for processing heterogeneous data. Develop new collecting protocols (or gradually standardize the older ones), in order to facilitate in fine analysis and comparisons. An operating and analysis tool for data collected shall be set up in parallel. Consolidated regional information and calculated indicators shall be recovered on a platform with a dynamic consultation interface

7 Objective number 4 : Promote research responding to the wine sector s expectations through renewed partnerships with the scientific world. By adopting a Research-Development-Innovation (RDI) policy plan for the coming 5 to 10 years, the sector expects to meet the objectives of the future and have a full role in the scientific community. It is a full-fledge RDI action plan, serving the action plan as it expresses the expectations of professionals in terms of know-how and innovation to combat vineyard decline. It likewise expresses the desire for improved synergy with the research world. Vine physiology at the heart of the debate Research work carried out prior to the action plan (study CNIV- FAM-BIPE, 2015) suggests a close relationship between decline and the physiological functioning of the vine (growth, sap flow, photosynthesis, immunology, etc.). The gaps in knowledge have been identified and the lack of vine physiology expertise in viticulture research networks strengthen the orientation of a research and innovation plan focused on the principle physiological functions of the vine linked to its productivity and its sustainability. As such, analyzing the yield components and their interaction with vine plant longevity requires in-depth analysis in view of drawing up a sustainable viticulture system, taking into account both the climatic change context and the need to adapt viticultural practices to societal and environmental constraints Five focuses and a transversal all-encompassing YIELD LONGEVITY Focus 1 : The relation between yield and longevity in regard to physiological processes Knowledge of the physiological mechanisms linked to vine yield and longevity needs to be thoroughly studied. The study must also concern interactions and factors which influence these mechanisms. Responses of the plant to stress and impact on longevity: cultivation methods have considerably evolved (mechanization, training vines on wires, etc...) without having measured the effects on vine functioning and potentially with pluri-annual impacts affecting vine longevity. The mechanisms for constituting and remobilizing reserves, their impact on yields and vine longevity Focus 2 : The root ecosystem balance between the plant and soil components, particularly its microflora and its microfauna. There are still some questions about the biology of viticulture in soils of vineyards, their physico-chemical properties and their interactions with the vines. Soil maintenance and management practices induce cumulative AXE 2 long term effects (on mineral nutrition of the vine, root development, links with pathogens and pests, soil structure, soil life, etc.) which require developing a global approach to their implementation. The context of decline implies reinforcing research on root ecosystems linked to the different physiological functions of the vine along with vineyard training methods enabling developing and maintaining plant balance with soil beneficial to the objectives of sustainable viticulture. Focus 3 : Prevent and manage biological risks Wood disease, virus diseases (leaf roll, fan leaf) or phytoplasm (flavescence dorée) control remains a priority concern, with 3 main investigation fields for which the scientific and technical community is already partly committed to. AXE 3 Disease detection, risk assessment and management related to bio-aggressors: for the most critical current and potential risks, it is important to gain further knowledge on the biology of pathogens and vectors, in addition to epidemiological models and in fine, to search for efficient treatments including chemical control. Knowledge of vine micro-organisms interaction system: this research field is not really covered and needs to be thoroughly explored in regard with potential links to decline phenomena. Several questions need to be addressed: On a cellular level, what is the relation between pathogens and the plant? What are the consequences of these interactions on different vine tissues and their physiological functioning? What mechanisms can explain the setting up of defence systems? What is the potential short and long term impact of the sanitary selection of plants and/or the use of phytosanitary products on the plant-microorganism balance? The fact of considering the vine within a complex ecosystem must entail using a different approach to control methods or disease effect constituency. This must include the study of cultivation practices to enable limiting risks. Develop health defence strategies for vines integrating all reasoned control methods to reach a technical, environmental and economic performance: in a highly evolving context for phytosanitary protection practices with the disappearance of available molecules, bio-controls constitute an essential field of research and innovation.

8 Focus 4 : Vine plant production and planting in vineyards The quality and availability of plant material for the sustainability of French vineyards is a objective and involves developing a specific research/development focus based on a 3-part organisation of the sector approach which includes: AXE 4 AXE 5 Vine variety/rootstock compatibility Optimizing nursery practices: key factor for nursery vine productivity, recovery of rooted grafts within the nursery is highly variable Planting and developing young vine plants within the framework of companion planting. Focus 5 : Socio-economic control levers fighting decline Questions raised in the 4 previous research fields must be linked to objectives applied to production system management. The socio-economic factors (the farm structure, human resources or regulations) concerning the vine grower, his/her farm, on a regional or sector scale constitutes an essential research field for understanding vineyard decline. These factors have a key role with individual or collective strategic choices made by the vine grower. Analyses carried out by the sector have highlighted their role in the onset of decline phenomena. Whereas, human and social sciences are rarely solicited for progressing in the understanding of the processes underway. This implies analyzing, on one hand, the interactions of producer practices and on the other hand, the socio-economic systems that drive the cultivation itineraries. YIELD FOCUS 1 LONGEVITY Relation between yield and longevity in relation to physiological processes FOCUS 2 INTEGRATED AND OVERALL VIEW OF KNOWLEDGE Root ecosystem in the balance between the vine plant and soil components FOCUS 3 Biological risk prevention and management FOCUS 4 Vine plant production management and planting in vineyards FOCUS 5 Socio-economic levels A transversal theme on developing an integrated and overall view of knowledge of vines and their decline can be added to the 5 previously described focuses. The question of interdisciplinary nature and transfer of knowledge must be a constant concern along with the social acceptance of solutions and innovations. Developing one or several models, whether to better integrate knowledge or as a decision-making tool is a genuine objective for research. Above and beyond expressing need for research, the implementation of this action plan constitutes a genuine objective. This implies restoring dialogue with the research community while imagining new ways of exchanging and sharing objectives to work together and to come up with highly-awaited answers for professionals. Numerous tools already exist for making partnerships, but perhaps we need to build new ones to face vineyard decline. Mission FAM CNIV BIPE Declining vineyards Avril Designed by : This research program aims to build upon European program funding opportunities and influence future European programmation.