Brussels, 25/06/2010 (Agence Europe) - The derogation from state aid rules for the German Alcohol Monopoly (Branntweinmonopol) should be extended beyond the end of this year, but phased out by the end of 2013, according to a new proposal published by the European Commission on Thursday 24 June. This derogation allows the German authorities to provide support for distilleries which produce alcohol of agricultural origin (e.g. from cereals and potatoes). However, there will be a longer phasing-out period, until the end of 2017, for small-scale distilleries (Abfindungsbrennereien), distillery users (Stoffbesitzer) and fruit cooperative distilleries (Obstgemeinschaftsbrennereien) which are locally-oriented and produce very small quantities of alcohol mainly from fruit. The Council of Ministers of the EU and the European Parliament now have to reach a decision on the proposal under the co-decision procedure. (L.C./transl.rt)