04/06/2010 (Agence Europe) - The vote by EU countries on establishing rules for organic wines has once again been postponed. The European Commission, which initially planned the vote for the start of June, might now put a new proposal to the standing committee on organic agriculture on 16 June. The main stumbling block between the Commission and a number of member states is the level of sulphite (SO2), which is used as a preservative, with several counties opposed to the Commission proposal. To break the deadlock, France has proposed setting the sulphite level for red wines at 120 grammes per litre, rather than the 100 grammes put forward by the Commission. It suggests, too, allowing the addition of two substances in organic wines - sorbic acid and ammonium bisulphite - and to make it possible to eliminate sulphites. (L.C./transl.rt)