Wines contaminated with pesticides, tests show

Winemakers urged to cut pesticide use

Published: (27-03-2008)

Author: Chris Mercer

Traces of up to 10 different pesticides have been found in wines on sale in the EU, according to an environmental group.

Lab tests on 40 bottles of wine found residues ranging from one pesticide to 10, said Pesticide Action Network (PAN) Europe.

It claimed the results showed “substantial evidence” of a problem, although it remained unclear whether residues posed a risk to health at the levels found.

Some of the 24 pesticides detected in total are listed as potential carcinogens by EU health authorities.

The research will add to concern about pesticide residues in food and drink.

Elliott Cannell, spokesperson for PAN Europe, told Wine & Spirit: “We are absolutely not telling people to stop drinking wine, but we are saying that people should demand higher standards.”

He said certified commercial laboratories in France, Germany and Austria conducted the tests. Only one sample of each wine was analysed, however.

Wines tested included 10 each from France and Germany, and also bottles from Austria, Chile, Portugal, South Africa, Australia and Italy. All were on sale in the EU and three cost more than €200 per bottle.

Tests also found traces of one pesticide in an organic wine, fuelling speculation that organic vineyards are being contaminated by pesticide use on their conventional neighbours.

PAN Europe worked with environmental groups, including Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth, to commission the tests.

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