what is “PestiRiv”, the original study launched in wine-growing areas?

Stéphane Place, edited by Manon Fossat
10:17 a.m., October 20, 2021, modified at

10:19 am, October 20, 2021

REPORTAGE

Called “PestiRiv”, a large national study will begin on October 29 to measure the impact of pesticides in wine regions. The national health security agency and Public Health France will indeed follow, until August 2022, a little more than 3,000 inhabitants aged from 2 to 79 years. All will be subject to biological monitoring and environmental monitoring in order to verify whether these populations of wine-growing areas are more exposed to pesticides. The participants were drawn in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, Grand Est, Occitanie, Paca, and in New Aquitaine, where many houses have been built near vineyards.

Local residents warned before spraying

Here in Léognan, in New Aquitaine, Laurent’s house is located about 30 meters from the vines. But now, when spraying is scheduled, residents are warned. “We are informed by a blog that notifies the days of spreading. So we tend to hang less laundry on those days. We also look at the direction of the wind to see if, indeed, it is coming more towards us or if it goes away towards the forest, ”he explains.

Josette also lives near the vineyard and she is in favor of this unprecedented study on the impact of pesticides. “It’s good that they warn, but we always have a doubt when we go out, whether we have any fallout. With the study we will be certain,” she judges for her part.

“Act in consequence”

Before treating his vines, Guillain Boutemy systematically alerts local residents. This Girondin winegrower who only uses organic and biocontrol products is not at all opposed to this study launched by Public Health France, on the contrary. “It interests me to know how what we send in the vineyard and in the air evolves. If there is a real impact we can act accordingly and if there is not, we will. will know, “he says.

“We will see if the practices put in place for many years are really effective,” argues the winemaker. Much more dubious, the Interprofessional Bordeaux Wine Council is worried about the way in which this study will be carried out.

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