Jun 17, 2019

Canadian group to certify grapevines as virus-free

Canadian officials on Saturday, June 15, announced more than $2.3 million in funds designed to help keep the country’s vineyards virus-free.

Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada David Lametti spoke at the Konzelmann Estate Winery in Ontario.

“With this funding, the Canadian Grapevine Certification Network will help ensure that growers have access to high-quality, locally-sourced grapevine stock to keep their fields healthy and prosperous,” he said.

The Canadian Grapevine Certification Network (CGCN) is a country-wide nonprofit collaboration between the Grape Growers of Ontario, the British Columbia Wine Grape Council, l’Association des vignerons du Québec, and the Grape Growers Association of Nova Scotia.

The network will receive the funding through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership’s AgriAssurance program to create a network of certified, virus-free grapevines that Canadian grape growers can plant in their vineyards to ensure the long-term viability of the Canadian grape and wine sectors.

As part of this project, CGCN will catalog and assess existing samples from nurseries and grape growers across Canada. A database will then be used to trace back every vine produced through this program and planted in a grower’s vineyard back to the mother plants. This will help the CGCN keep Canada’s vineyards virus-free.

“This funding is instrumental to the creation of a clean plant network for grapevines in Canada, said Hans Buchler, Chair, Canadian Grapevine Certification Network. “We thank the Minister for the contribution towards CGCN helping growers plant healthy vineyards and continue the tradition of Canada’s vibrant grape and wine industry.”

Canada’s wine industry generates revenues of $1.2 billion and employs over 5,600 people. Exports of wine in 2016 equaled $133.6 million.

Above, Jim Reschke, MP Badawey, Bill Schenck, Minister Lametti, MP Bittle examine grapevines at Konzelmann Estates Winery, Niagara-on-the-Lake Photo: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada