The countryside has come together to protect the vineyards

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An unprecedented cooperation has developed in the domestic grape and wine sector in recent weeks. During the protection against golden yellows (grapevine flavescence dorée phytoplasma FD), the national inspection program was carried out effectively with the coordination of the National Council of Mountain Communities, with the participation and cooperation of the National Chamber of Agriculture, mountain communities, winemakers and authorities. The experts worked to prevent the spread of the disease threatening the vineyards.

Over 200 inspection groups have been working in the Hungarian wine regions in recent days, with a total of 3,385 hectares of vineyards inspected during the program

The more than 1,600 participants, including grape growers, mountain judges, village economists, plant protection inspectors and professional organizations, worked towards a common goal. NAK staff also took part in the work: 62 colleagues from 13 county chambers spent almost 350 working hours on the reconnaissance. As a result of the work of the past few days, it can be said that infected vines have been identified in all significant wine-growing regions of the country. In many cases, the diseased vines were recognized and removed in time. However, the success of the program cannot be measured only in numbers: as a result of the joint work, professional and community cooperation between the wine regions has strengthened, thanks to which the protection of the Hungarian grape and wine sector has reached a new level.

FD is one of the most dangerous pathogens of grapes

As a result of the infection, the yield of grapevines can decrease by 20-50%, and the disease can destroy entire plantations in a few years. Moreover, producers can only protect themselves against the infection through prevention and the destruction of already infected vines. The disease is currently present in 21 Hungarian wine regions. It is therefore no exaggeration to say that golden yellows is one of the most serious plant protection challenges in Hungarian viticulture, which also threatens the future of wine regions, the livelihood of local communities and the traditions of Hungarian wine culture. That is why the collaboration that has been established to stop the spread of the infection is of particular importance.

NAK