MEP attacks wine-regime overhaul

Changes to the EU’s wine sector being considered by the European Commission will harm Europe’s wine production, according to a report being voted on by the European Parliament next Tuesday (13 February).

The report, from Greek Socialist MEP Katerina Batzeli, warns that the Commission also threatens the environment unless it scales down ideas set out in a communication last June.

Batzeli’s report, which won support from Parliament agriculture committee last month, is expected to be backed by the plenary.

The report criticises a Commission suggestion that over-production of EU wine could be countered by clearing away, or ‘grubbing up’, surplus vineyards. "This model will cause irreparable damage to European competitiveness, destroy the social and economic fabric of the countryside, [and] create a series of environmental problems which in some regions will be irreversible," according to Batzeli.

Grubbing up "will also encourage an increase in New World wine production". Lifting a ban on producing wine using imported must - the unfermented grape juice - could reduce the quality of European wines", the report says. Similarly, allowing Community and non-EU wines to be blended should be avoided "since it will create enormous problems as regards the origin and identification of wines reaching the consumer".

The Commission communication said it would consider both of these options before proposing legislation.

A Commission agriculture spokesman said his department was still considering all reform possibilities. A legislative proposal is expected this summer.

The Batzeli report is broadly in line with objections raised by EU farm sector representatives COPA-COGECA last year.

MEPs are also preparing changes to the EU vodka market, with a compromise deal on spirits labelling expected to be voted through by a plenary in March (12-15). The compromise would mean only vodkas made from grains, potatoes and molasses could be labelled simply as ‘vodka’. Vodkas made from any other raw ingredient, such as grapes and peaches, would be re-branded ‘vodka made from’. The idea was adopted by Parliament’s environment committee last month.

Changes to the EU’s wine sector being considered by the European Commission will harm Europe’s wine production, according to a report being voted on by the European Parliament next Tuesday (13 February).