Press Release: Commission proposes ‘lightweight’ common market organisation for agricultural alcohol

On 21.2.01 the European Commission adopted a proposal to establish a common organisation of the market in ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin. A proposal for a Council Regulation sets out a framework of common rules, in the form of a 'lightweight' common market organisation for agricultural alcohol. Essentially, it introduces the possibility of a trade monitoring system by means of licences for agricultural alcohol and brings such alcohol under the responsibility of the Management Committee for Wine. The aims are mainly to increase market information, monitor trade flows and establish a forum for discussion and decision making. 'These measures will provide a simple and transparent framework to enable the specific issues of the agricultural alcohol sector to be addressed and will benefit this whole sector', Agriculture Commissioner Franz Fischler said.