Brussels, 16/05/2011 (Agence Europe) - The group of member states which have signed a letter to the European Commission calling for planting rights in wine growing to be maintained now numbers 10, after Spain came on board, the European Federation of Origin Wines (EFOW) and the National Confederation of Wines with Appellation of Origin (CNAOC) announced with pleasure on Friday 13 May.
In a letter addressed to European Agriculture Commissioner Dacian Cioloº and dated 5 May 2011, Spain, the world's second largest wine producer, just behind France, with the largest area of land under vines, states its firm support for keeping in place regulation of production in Europe. Spanish Agriculture Minister Rosa Aguilar officially backs retention of the plantation rights system, which was due to be phased out from 2015.
In concrete terms, the 10 signatory countries (Spain, France, Germany, Italy, Hungary, Austria, Cyprus, Luxembourg, Portugal and Romania) form a large blocking minority (see EUROPE 10362 and 10364). A further four member states and 85 votes are required before a qualified majority is achieved, the EFOW says in a press release. (L.C./transl.rt)