French winegrowers declare war on genetically modified grapes
Canadian Press, 9/7/2004
PARIS (AP) - French vintners are ready to repel what they see as another threat to their centuries-old winegrowing traditions - genetically modified grapes.
Earth and Wine of the World, which comprises nearly 400 French winegrowers, is worried about a government research project to tinker with grape genes.
It's a serious concern in a land where the average person over 14 consumes a quarter-bottle of wine a day.
"It is of utmost importance that the future of our profession is not determined solely under the influence of scientists, industrialists and technocrats," the group said in a news release Thursday after meeting in Paris to come up with a plan of attack.
The National Institute of Agricultural Research plans to replant a batch of genetically modified vines they were forced to pull out five years ago. They are looking for ways to make vulnerable grapes more resistant to disease.
A small crop of genetically modified grapes was planted in 1996 in eastern France by the champagne manufacturer Moet et Chandon in partnership with the agricultural institute.
But consumer pressure forced the company to dig the plants out of the ground in 1999 and limit research to the lab, said Sylvie Colleu, a spokeswoman for the institute.
"We're not persuaded that the tests will start with the maximum number of precautions that we consider absolutely necessary," said Alain Graillot, the president of the vintners association, which also includes winegrowers from California to Germany.
"We want to be certain that there will be no accidental spreading, and that any possible toxicity of the plants is completely ruled out," he said.
The dug-up plants were frozen in a laboratory, and the institute is waiting for the green light from Agriculture Minister Herve Gaymard to replant them.
Genetically modified foods are derided in France where the people made a hero out of Jose Bove, the farmer-turned-activist known for ripping up genetically modified crops and ransacking a half-built McDonald's in 1999.
"In France, the consumers of wine are rather traditional, and many are against genetically modified organisms," Colleu said. "And many professionals feel that this could hurt the image of their brands."
This time around, the institute has agreed to certain restrictions to ease consumer fears, he said. No wine will be produced from the plants, for example.
Worried winemakers are currently waging another battle: trying to loosen restrictions on alcohol advertising.
Their message, that people should drink more, has met with resistance from doctors' groups, who say the French already drink enough.