Equalitas and FederBio together for an approach that integrates Organic certification with the Equalitas Sustainable Wine standard. Objective: to concretely promote the culture and practice of sustainability along the wine supply chain.
On Wednesday, March 20 ,a memorandum of understanding was signed between Equalitas (standard-owner led by Federdoc) and FederBio, the interprofessional organization that enhances and protects Italian organic agriculture and production. The agreement aims to support an integrated approach shared by institutions, businesses and wine operators on the issue of organic sustainability.
At the heart of the agreement, signed during an event in Rome, is the promotion of an approach that integrates Organic certification with the Equalitas Sustainable Wine standard as a model for environmental and social protection and a constant challenge for wine companies, which are increasingly attentive and sensitive to these issues. In fact, the Italian wine sector is proving to be an excellence, with already 18 percent of production certified organic and more than one billion bottles of wine coming from companies certified sustainable according to the Equalitas standard.
An integrated approach shared by institutions
During the meeting, moderated by Francesca Romana Barberini, speakers included Maria Grazia Mammuccini – Federbio President, Riccardo Ricci Curbastro – Equalitas President, and Luigi D’Eramo, MASAF Undersecretary.
Beginning with a joint commitment to fair and transparent communication to the consumer, the protocol intends to on the one hand Train and assist wine enterprises who want to integrate both management models, Organic and Equalitas Sustainable Wine, into a comprehensive and advanced approach to corporate responsibility, including facilitating, where possible, the joint controls. On the other hand, to work on strengthening the requirements that characterize organic, as a strategic resource of the EU, in the design of sustainable wine management, on issues such as traceability of products and processes, protection of biodiversity and the health of consumers and operators.
Training, Research and Communication for the Sustainable Development of Wine Businesses.
“By integrating the principles of two of the most important sustainable certifications, the agreement with Equalitas represents a significant step toward the all-around enhancement of agroecological viticulture. It combines, in fact, the quality of certification organic, a guarantee of environmentally sound agronomic techniques, with the Equalitas standard, which certifies sustainability of the entire supply chain, assessing carbon footprint and good social practices. In addition, the permanent working table that will be activated will ensure training, research and communication to make Italian organic and sustainable viticulture increasingly an excellence at the international level.” Maria Grazia Mammuccini, FederBio president, emphasizes.
Request for rationalization by the Vineyard Enterprises.
“With this agreement, which Equalitas signs with the aim of making a system, we are counting on institutions also to take over the demand for rationalization that comes from businesses, recognizing and supporting the various ways of approaching sustainability but also defining it in a comprehensive, serious and transparent way.” stated Riccardo Ricci Curbastro, president of Equalitas.
