> PROFESSOR NICOLAÏ PAVLENKO HAS PASSED AWAY
OIV – 27/03/2008 - The OIV is very sad to announce the passing away of Pr. Nicolaï Pavlenko at age 70. He was the President of the International Office of Vine and Wine from 1988 to 1991, after being an expert of the OIV for over fifteen years and President of the « Wine Technology » Expert group with the USSR.


> OIV Press Conference on world vitivinicultural trends in 2007
OIV – 26/03/2008 - Presentation of the State of the Vitiviniculture World Market report showing the world vitivinicultural situation in 2007 drawn up based on statistical data provided by the Member states of the Organisation.


> The Director General of the OIV visit to the World Health Organisation head quarters (WHO)
OIV – 25/02/2008 – The department of mental health of the WHO General Secretariat in Geneva organised a consultation meeting on statistical data on spirituous beverages which the OIV was invited, based on the statistical data it draws up on the vitivinicultural sector. Certain representatives of offices and statistical institutes in addition to representatives of associations of beer and spirits industries attended the meeting.


> The Director General of the OIV visit to Slovakia
Mr. Federico Castellucci, the Director General of the OIV, made an official visit to Slovakia from 3 to 6 February 2008, upon the initiative of and organised by His Excellency, Mr Frantisek Lipka, former ambassador of Slovakia in Belgium and Luxemburg.


> The WHO proposes strategies to reduce the harmful use of alcohol by 2010
OIV – 28/01/2008 – 34 member states of the Executive Committee of the World Health Organisation (WHO) met this week in Geneva and drafted a resolution to be submitted for adoption of the 61st World Health Assembly in 2008, based on the report of the WHO secretariat.


> Wine Festival of Porto
OIV- 14/01/2008 – On the occasion of the Porto Wine Festival, from 11 to 15 November 2007, upon the invitation of the Municipal Chamber of Porto, Mr. Castellucci, Director General of the OIV, participated in the International Conference « Dialogue between the New World and the Old World: International cooperation in the wine sector » within the framework of the Great Wine Capitals Global Network.


> VINANDINO – 8th Edition
OIV- 14/01/2008 - Mr. Castellucci, Director General of the OIV, and Mr. Hayes, President of the OIV, went to Argentina from 23 November to 3 December 2007 for the 8th Edition of the VINANDINO International Wine Competition.


> OIV Street in Moldavia
OIV- 14/01/2008 – The government of Moldavia invited Mr Castellucci, Director General of the OIV, to participate along side the Moldavian Prime Minister, Mr. Vasile Petru Tarlev, from 24 to 29 October 2007 in a news conference on the issue of vitiviniculture and to partake, upon the initiative of Mr. Mihail Maciuca, Director of the State Entreprise Quality Wines Complex « Milestii Mici », in an exceptional ribbon cutting ceremony for the naming of “OIV Street”; demonstrating the commitment of Moldavia to be involved in the international vitivinicultural sector.


> Passing away of Professor Michel Feuillat
OIV – 07/01/2008 The OIV was very saddened to hear about the passing away of Professor Michel Feuillat at age 70.


> The OIV at the Pisco Congress in Peru
OIV – 20/12/2007 – The Director General of the OIV, Mr Federico Castellucci, went to Peru from 15 to 21 November 2007 on the occasion of the VI Pisco Congress, entitled « Peruvian Origin and traditions throughout the World ».


> Director General of the OIV visit to Israel
OIV – 20/12/2007 – Mr. Federico Castellucci, the Director General of the OIV, during his visit to Israel, was warmly welcomed by Mr. Hanan Bazak, Director of the Fruit department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Mr. Zvi Alon, Director General of the International Trade department of the Ministry of Agriculture and President of the Vine and Wine Bureau of Israel, along with Mr. Ben-Ami Bravdo, professor of Viticulture and Oenology at Hebrew University of Jerusalem Faculty of Agriculture and expert delegate of the OIV Executive Committee.


> Symposium on Microbiology and the Integral quality of wine: "Microsafetywine"
OIV – 20/12/2007 – The symposium on Microbiology and the Integral quality of wine, entitled "Microsafetywine 2007" was held on 20 and 21 November in Vilafranca du Penedès, (Barcelona, Spain). This symposium, devoted particularly to microbiology and food safety, was under the patronage of the OIV.


> Agreement on CMO wine reform in Europe
OIV - 20/12/2007 - On 19 December 2007, the European Union agriculture ministers came to an agreement to reform the Common Market Organisation for wine.


> European Alcohol and Health Forum - science group call for expression of interest
OIV – 6/12/2007 - In accordance with its mission, the OIV would like to inform its Members of the following information. The European Commission adopted in 2006 an European Union strategy to support Member States in reducing alcohol-related harm. The Strategy addresses the adverse health effects related to harmful and hazardous alcohol consumption, as well as the related social and economic consequences.


> Towards new information on wine labels
OIV – 27/11/2007 –European Directive 2000/13/EC of 20 March 2000 highlights that when certain ingredients or other substances are the cause of allergies or food intolerance are used for foodstuff production, some of these allergies or intolerances pose a danger for the health of susceptible individuals.


> Professor Denis BOUBALS has passed away.
OIV - 26/11/2007, The OIV is very sad to announce the passing away of Professor Denis Boubals, age 81, on 24 November 2007.


> O.I.V. 2007 Award Ceremony
OIV - 23/10/2007 - Mr. Federico Castellucci, the Director General of the OIV, His Excellency František Lipka, Ambassador of Slovakia and the President of the Award Jury and Mr. Robert Tinlot, Scientific Secretary of the Award Jury, handed out awards to the winners of the OIV award jury at an official ceremony held at the OIV headquarters.


> 5th OIV General Assembly – Budapest (Hungary)
OIV – 25/07/2007 – The OIV Member States, who met on 15 June 2007 in Budapest (Hungary), on the occasion of the 5th OIV General Assembly, adopted a number of resolutions, a summary of which you will find attached hereto.


> OIV and the Codex Alimentarius: Common interests
OIV – 12/07/2007 - From 2 to 7 July 2007, Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC), a joint body of the United Nations Organisation for Food and Agriculture (FAO) and the World Health Organisation (WHO), held its 30th session in Rome (Italy).


> Yves Benard - recognised and respected member at the OIV
OIV - 05/07/2007 -Upon the occasion of the General Assembly in Budapest, the President of the OIV, Mr. Peter Hayes, in agreement with the two Vice-Presidents, appointed Mr. Yves Bénard as recognised and respected scientific member qualified to participate in the reflections of the Scientific and Technical Committee of the OIV.


> The OIV awards the OIV prize to University of California emeritus Professor Kirby Moulton
Budapest - 15/06/2007 - At its General Assembly on 15 June 2007, Peter Hayes, the Australian President of the International Vine and Wine Organisation (OIV), presented the OIV prize to University of California Emeritus professor and well known wine economist, Dr Kirby Moulton.


> State of the vitiviniculture world report in 2006
OIV – 11/06/2007 – During the OIV congress in Budapest (Hungary), the Director General, Mr. Federico Castellucci presented a report on the state of world vitiviniculture in 2006, in the presence of the Vice Prime Minister of Hungary, Mr. Péter Kiss, and representatives of 43 member states of the Organisation. The 2006 report deals with vitivinicultural production potential, areas under vines, overall production, volumes of wine exports and imports, in addition to the grape market for fresh consumption grapes and the raisin market.


> Visit of the Director General of the OIV to Finland
OIV - 15/01/2007 - From 18 to 20 December 2006, Mr CASTELLUCCI, Director General of the OIV, accompanied by Mr. RUF, Unit head of « Oenology, Safety-health, Methods of analysis», went to Helsinki, Finland to participate in a work meeting, organised by Ms M. HEINONEN, delegate of Finland at the OIV.