I apologise for having no samples with me as they were not available today. However, I am pleased to present to the committee the proposals for Ireland's membership of the International Organisation of Vine and Wine Agreement 2001. The agreement was laid before the Dáil on 7 February 2003 in accordance with Article 29.5.2° of Bunreacht na hÉireann. This article requires that a motion of approval be carried before ratification of an international agreement involving a charge to Exchequer funds. The 2001 agreement established the International Organisation of Vine and Wine, also known by its French initials as OIV, and replaced the international vine and wine office created in 1924. This followed a review initiated in 1997 to redefine the office's mission and resources.
OIV is an intergovernmental organisation of a scientific and technical nature, covering vines, wine, wine-based beverages, grapes, raisins and other vine products. It has 35 members, representing more than 90% of the world's wine producers. The organisation's main mission is to inform members of measures whereby the concerns of producers, consumers and other players may be taken into consideration - particularly to assist other international bodies, both intergovernmental and non-governmental, especially in relation to standardisation - to contribute to international harmonisation of existing practices and standards and, as necessary, to new international standards improving production and marketing conditions and to ensure that the interests of consumers are taken into account. OIV promotes technical and scientific research and information and also contributes to food health and safety by monitoring research and disseminating information to the medical and health care professions, so serving the interests of the consumer.
The organisation is a general assembly with delegates nominated by members and an executive committee, with one delegate per member, which reports to the general assembly. Scientific activity is conducted through expert groups co-ordinated by a scientific and technical committee within a plan approved by the general assembly. Decisions are by consensus. OIV is funded by members' contributions related to standing in the wine sector and income from activities. Ireland's contribution will be €12,070. All other EU member states are members, as are the candidate countries. Although Ireland's production of wine is tiny, it contributes to the drafting of wine policy at EU level and wine consumption in Ireland has increased markedly in recent years. It is, accordingly, opportune for us to become a member of this organisation and I commend Ireland's participation in OIV to the committee.
