The International Treaty and OIV propose a study of grapevine genetic resources

A new joint study presented in Yinchuan, China, marks the next step in cooperation between the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture and the International Organisation of Vine and Wine, as the two bodies move to strengthen the conservation and use of grapevine genetic resources.

The proposal was introduced Friday during the 47th World Congress of Vine and Wine in Yinchuan, in the Ningxia region, where delegates from the two organizations outlined plans for a technical study focused on how grapevine diversity is conserved, how accessible it is for research and breeding, and where important gaps remain. The work is intended to support future joint action by giving both organizations a shared scientific and technical basis for policy and practical measures.

According to the International Treaty Secretariat, the study will map grapevine genetic material that is currently held in the public domain. It will also identify areas where collections, access systems, or related information may be incomplete. Another part of the work will examine the use of new genomic techniques in research and breeding, an area that has become more important as growers and scientists look for ways to improve varieties without losing valuable genetic diversity.

Mario Marino, a technical officer representing the Treaty Secretariat, presented the proposed outline of the study at the congress. He said grapevine genetic diversity is a key resource for dealing with climate change, pests, diseases, and changing production needs. In that context, the planned work is meant to help researchers and breeders find and use plant material that can support more resilient and sustainable grape production.

The study is also expected to look at how countries can secure more predictable funding for the conservation of grapevine genetic resources. That question has become increasingly important as public collections face pressure from budget limits, while the need to preserve older and less widely planted varieties continues to grow. Public collections often hold material that is not commercially dominant today but may contain traits that become valuable later, including heat tolerance, drought tolerance, or resistance to disease.

For the wine industry and other grape-based beverage producers, the effort could have practical importance over time. Better information about publicly conserved grapevine material and clearer pathways for access may help breeding programs develop varieties that are better suited to harsher weather, shifting growing regions, and biological threats. That could matter not only for vineyard productivity but also for the long-term supply of grapes used in wine and other beverages, especially as producers seek to adapt without relying on a narrow genetic base.

The planned document is described as a joint technical study rather than a policy agreement. It is expected to bring together background information, a scientific and technical framework, recommendations, and considerations for implementation. That approach suggests the organizations are trying first to establish a common reference point before moving toward broader operational steps.

The initiative builds on a memorandum of understanding signed by the two organizations in 2024. Since then, they have held technical exchanges on grapevine genetic resources, including discussions on conservation, sustainable use, and the role of the Treaty's Global Information System. Those exchanges have also covered the use of Digital Object Identifiers, which can help link plant material to reliable information and improve traceability in international information sharing.

The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture is a legally binding international agreement that supports the conservation, sustainable use, and exchange of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture, while also promoting fair and equitable sharing of benefits from their use. Its mandate is broader than viticulture, but grapevine has become a clear area of interest as climate pressures and biodiversity loss raise concerns across agricultural systems.

The announcement came during a major annual gathering for the vine and wine sector. The 47th World Congress of Vine and Wine was held from Oct. 12 through Oct. 16 alongside the 24th General Assembly of the OIV, at the invitation of the Chinese government. Organizers said the meeting in Yinchuan was focused on the scientific, technical, and economic challenges facing the global vine and wine sector, with attention to transformation, innovation, and long-term sustainability.