In order to develop the National Strategy for the Control of Vine Dieback, FranceAgriMer and the CNIV made a public call for tenders at the end of 2014. The project was awarded to BIPE, an economic forecasting and strategy consultancy firm. From February to July 2015, BIPE drew up an inventory of the all fundamental and applied knowledge related to vine dieback. It also provided a socio-economic diagnostic and identified courses of action to be explored. In July 2015, these studies were made public at a seminar which attracted 200 participants, including viticultural practitioners, as well as representatives from the research and administrative sectors. From September to December 2015, BIPE then accompanied the industry in the formulation of a short and medium-term action plan, which included a research programme.

BIPE made use of a forecasting method to identify the links between the numerous factors (more than 70 were considered) within the viticultural system that affects the vine (Micmac matrix method). An overview emerged from the matrix analysis: yield and longevity are closely linked on an agronomic and economic level. They are primarily linked to plant material, diseases, growing practices and valorisation strategies, whilst subject to standards and regulations. They are therefore important for understanding and controlling dieback. The analysis was then complemented by interviews with practitioners in the main wine producing regions and the collection of statistical data, in order to identify the issues, current areas of weakness, and especially to envision levers for action. This was the strategic review.

Some results of the study

To effectively control dieback, all the factors that affect the plant must be taken into account: parasite pressure, the climate, viticultural practices, the organisation of the vineyard, collective constraints, etc.

The issue is complex and cannot be addressed solely from the point of view of scientific knowledge. Dieback has become a widespread phenomenon: 75% of the vines planted in France are of varietals that are considered to be sensitive to dieback, but all of Europe’s wine producing regions are concerned.

The review of scientific knowledge shows that the role of pathogens is fairly well understood. We have a lesser understanding of the effects of the vineyard parcel, or the soil, and even less of the effects due to the climate, the physiology of the grafted plant, or the impact of technical specifications...

Finally, the report reveals that there is a greater understanding of the factors that negatively affect the yield than there is of those that affect longevity.