Under the South African IPW scheme, producers promise that our wines will not contain substances that they should not and that by adhering to the IPW guidelines the environment will be keenly protected. It is a living system whereby standards will be elevated in years to come. It is thus a way of thinking to which we as producers are committed.

PARTIES INVOLVED
With regard to policy, the major players are the national and regional departments of agriculture; the Wine and Spirit Board; ARC Infruitec-Nietvoorbij, along with big business and other industry groupings and institutions.

MEMBERSHIP
The Scheme for Integrated Production of Wine (IPW) was introduced in South Africa in 1998. Although voluntary, currently 90% of exporting producers representing 95% of grapes harvested have joined the Scheme.

TECHNICAL BASE
The true strength of our IPW system lies in its sound technical base.

• IPW COMMITTEE
  A committee of experts has been appointed and their frame of reference is to adjust the guidelines and scheme with regard to technical aspects.
  
  GUIDELINES
  A self-scoring points system addresses 15 aspects for vineyards and 13 for cellars to assess whether a wine complies with the guidelines of the IPW scheme. See www.ipw.co.za or attached summary.
  
  
• THE SCHEME
  The Scheme for the Integrated Production of Wine was published on 6 November 1998 under the Act on Liquor Products.
  
  
• AGCHEM
  This committee of experts - drawn from research, producers and chemical companies - is responsible for the coding of all registered chemicals.

DOCUMENTATION
One of IPW's strong points is self-regulation. This means that every producer must fill in the guidelines on a self-evaluation form, which is then controlled by and filed at the cellar where his grapes are pressed. The cellars also have to fill in a self-evaluation form which is then faxed to the IPW office for filing. It is an easy task for buyers of wine to check the documentation themselves.

AUDITING
Yearly audits are done by ARC Infruitec-Nietvoorbij and other environmental specialists on a spot check basis. These involve checks on 110 cellars and 36 farms. Wine from producers not complying cannot be sold. Multi-residue analyses on 2 500 wines and fresh grape samples also guarantee that pesticides were correctly applied. Compliance with guidelines for grape production and winemaking is evaluated by producers and winemakers themselves, and audited by ARC Infruitec-Nietvoorbij. Evaluation records are also available to buyers.

TRAINING
Training is given at all levels. Currently, 3 500 persons, placed strategically in all industry sectors, hold an IPW training certificate. The curricula of the University of Stellenbosch and the Elsenburg Training Centre, which offers diplomas in viticulture and oenology, have been amended to include the IPW system. Apart from the IPW certificate, further training is offered by ARC Infruitec-Nietvoorbij. Associations such as the South African Society for Oenology and Viticulture and the Old Boys Unions of Elsenburg and the University of Stellenbosch have already indicated that they will help to ensure that training will be given at the appropriate levels.

MARKETING
IPW is not considered a marketing mechanism. It is aimed at keeping us in the market rather than increasing market share.

FINANCING
The system is producer driven and paid for at a cost of R122 per farmer per year. Differentiated fees on a per tonnage basis for cellars make up the rest of the required funds with small cellars (under 100 tons) paying R122 and large cellars (above 25 000 tons) R14 600.

PRACTICAL PHILOSOPHY
IPW is not a system of enforcement - participants are part of it because they want to be. The transparency of participants, the fact that an audit system is in place, and that we are saving money while covering food safety and environmental issues, as well as built-in consumer guarantees are the positive aspects which have sold the IPW system to everyone concerned.

PRESS RELEASES
SA leads international drive for sustainable grape growing:
View the article.

Scheme for the Integrated Production of Wine
Read this information sheet.

Visit the Integrated Production of Wine (IPW) website at www.ipw.co.za