Being an organic winegrower means that you are obliged to spray with copper to prevent certain fungal diseases rather than using synthetic pesticides. Copper is effective primarily against mildiou. As with all other pesticides the authorisation to use copper is renewed every ten years. This year the EU will evaluate copper and decide whether to reduce the permitted quantity, something the EU has wanted to do for years. Currently, the limit is set at 6 kg copper per hectare per year (calculated as an average over five years).
EFSA, the European Food Safety Authority, recommends that the limit is lowered to 4 kilos. Many organic winegrowers are against a reduction and they will no doubt fight with all their might to keep the 6 kilo limit. Read more: vitisphere.com
