An organic winemaker in France has been fined for refusing to spray vineyard with pesticide.
Emmanuel Giboulot was ordered to pay €500 for not complying with official regulations.
He had faced even stiffer punishments, including six months in jail and a fine of €30,000.
A local directive in Burgundy’s Cote d’Or wine-growing region requires treatment to prevent flavescence dorée disease which is spread by an insect. The disease is lethal.
But Giboulot, 51, has received support and scores were at the court in Dijon to await the verdict. Later he said he planned to appeal, noting “I still don't feel guilty. It's intolerable today to be forced to hide and to be frightened for taking a stand."
His stance was that the insecticide damages pollinating insects, including bees, at the same time. He has used “biodynamic” techniques for the last three decades on his 10 hectare vineyard.
