This archive report was first published on 25 September 2019.
September 25, 2019 - In a bid to safeguard France's prized wine industry, the Burgundy region has deployed a team of gendarmerie officers on bikes and motorcycles to patrol its vineyards.
These vigilant officers crisscross the vineyards day and night, on the lookout for thieves who pose a perpetual threat to the region's viticulturists.
"The damage is enormous," said Vincent Gros, a 32-year-old winemaker who heads the Gros Frere et Soeur wine estate in the Cote d'Or region.
According to Gros, thieves often target crops that have been damaged by frost, hail, or sunburn, and may steal entire blocks of grapes.
"When the harvest is small, it is tempting to go and steal grapes. All you need are cutting shears and a bucket," Gros explained.
However, not all thefts are intentional. Contractors have been known to harvest the wrong tract of land, resulting in accidental losses for the vineyard owners.
Despite the challenges, the patrols have been a welcome addition to the region's wine sector, which is already heavily affected by climate hazards.
"The presence of the police reassures us," said Gros, who has installed security cameras in isolated fields.
The patrols were started in the Burgundy region after a poor harvest in 2016 that was aggravated by a rise in theft.
According to the Cote d'Or police department, stealing grapes is punishable by up to three years in prison and a fine of 45,000 euros (almost $50,999).
