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British Columbians who love a glass of BC wine and support environmentally responsible businesses have easy choices ahead, as a new sustainability certification program for BC grape growers and wineries will put those green standards right on the label.
Sustainable Winegrowing BC (SWBC), a program of the British Columbia Wine Grape Council, is developing the certification program. Participation in this program will allow BC to highlight the integrity and credibility of the provincial wine industry, and increase competitiveness of BC wine with other top wine-growing regions around the world.
“Sustainable Winegrowing BC is looking forward to developing the certification program, through support from the Ministry of Agriculture,” said Karen Gillis, chair of SWBC. “The positive impacts on environmental, financial, and social aspects for individual vineyards and wineries, and the industry as a whole, will contribute immensely to our long-term sustainability.”
SWBC has already established an online self-assessment tool that allows growers and wineries to view their sustainability performance. The new certification program will take the next step in maintaining and enhancing public trust. The certification program will include a sustainability advisor assisting growers and wineries in their application for certification.
“This new sustainability certification program will maintain the sector’s competitiveness, increase consumer confidence in B.C.’s award-winning wine, and minimize the environmental footprint of our wine industry,” predicted BC Agriculture Minister Lana Popham,
The SWBC oversight committee includes BC viticulturists, winemakers, hospitality directors, researchers, and sustainability and marketing specialists.
The sustainable certification program is receiving $100,000 in cost-shared funding from the governments of Canada and BC, through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership.