"Justice has ruled in favor of the omerta", pointed out Thursday afternoon Valérie Murat, spokesperson for the Gironde association Alerte aux toxins, after the announcement of the verdict rendered by the judicial court of Libourne (Gironde) in the framework of the complaint against her and her association for "denigration of Bordeaux wines" filed by the Interprofessional Council of Bordeaux Wines (CIVB), in which 25 châteaux, appellations and wine unions in the region were associated.
In question, the publication on September 15 of the results of analysis of 22 bottles of wine certified HVE (High environmental value).
In its report distributed by the association, the Dubernet laboratory, Cofrac approved, commissioned for the analysis, recorded the presence of residues of 4 to 15 active substances per bottle.
The laboratory then distanced itself, arguing that the presence of residues was low and legal.
Because these substances (synthetic pesticides including the famous CMRs) detected are not prohibited by the HVE label.
“It deceives consumers who think it's better than organic wine,” recalls Valérie Murat.
Valérie Murat determined to appeal
During the hearing, on December 17, the twelve lawyers from the wine industry took turns pointing out the damage inflicted on the profession by the communication of the analyzes, up to the president of the Tribunal de Libourne throwing Valérie Murat "what you do is a shame.
In front of them, the defense lawyer recalled that wine was the only consumer product on the label of which the composition does not appear.
Thursday, the court of Libourne, considering real the “denigration” of the sector, condemned Valérie Murat to 125,000 euros in damages for the CIVB and the other plaintiffs.
“The denigration cannot remain without sanction”, they indicated in a press release.
“Informing about the composition of a product is not denigration but freedom of expression”, retorts Valérie Murat, determined to appeal.