Description
Council Directive 68/193/EEC and the current supplementary Community rules are specific to the genus Vitis L. and are aimed at ensuring a minimum level of quality of vine propagating material and its free movement within the European Union.
In Italy, the sector is now legislated by Legislative Decree No 16 of 2 February 2021 and its implementing decrees.
Vine propagating material can only be marketed after undergoing an official inspection that has ascertained that the material meets the established requirements of varietal (and clonal) identity, homogeneity of production and absence or tolerated presence of regulated non-quarantine harmful organisms (NDNQ) that could compromise its use.
In order to ensure varietal and clonal identity, the regulations established the institution, in each member country, of a National Register of Vine Varieties (RNVV) in which the varieties that, on the basis of officially recognised tests, are distinct, stable and homogeneous, as well as the clones of these varieties selected according to the envisaged protocol, are entered. The information contained in the RNVV is also used for the 'classification' of suitability for cultivation of the varieties provided for by the Community regulations of the CMO wine.
The effects of the application of the directive have undoubtedly been positive on the quality of vine propagation material both in terms of varietal identity and phytosanitary characteristics, particularly in relation to harmful viruses.