Brussels, 03/02/2012 (Agence Europe) - The EU General Court has upheld the European Commission decision of April 2008 ordering Spain to recover €54.9 million, 10% of the sums received by Spain in budget years 2003 and 2004 for intervention measures (private storage, aid for distillation and alcohol storage, aid for grape must and export refunds) for the wine sector.
In its decision, the Commission took the view that illegal planting of vines beyond what was authorised meant that an additional volume of wine was brought to the market, triggering the above-mentioned intervention measures, even though these plantations had not received any Community aid. Spain lodged an appeal against this decision in June 2008, arguing that reasons for the financial correction imposed had not been given and also that the correction had been disproportionate. The Court did not accept its arguments and found for the Commission on all points. The Commission has welcomed the ruling. (FG/transl.rt)