In a position published on 16 January, the SpiritsEurope organisation representing the European spirits drinks industry stated that similarly to many other sectors it also needed regulatory predictability and continuity once the United Kingdom leaves the EU.
The sector organisation is calling for flexibility regarding the duration of the transition rules that are supposed to apply for at least two years and guarantees for maintaining all Community rules applicable to wines and spirits, as well as the continued application of the free trade agreements and bilateral agreements on spirits that have so far been completed by the EU.
SpiritsEurope presented a common position paper at the end of 2017 with the British
Scotch whisky association and WSTA), as well as the representative body of the EU industry and trade in wines (CEEV). This paper is calling for a comprehensive customs agreement to be signed once the transition period is over, with particular emphasis on limiting processing deadlines, compliance checks and controls on administrative costs, as well as and above all, “no customs duties on wines and spirits”. The sector would also like the future agreement to include mutual and swift recognition of the denominations of origin for wines and spirits drinks. Finally, the association also states that the United Kingdom and EU should continue, “to closely cooperate in tackling the barriers to market access that exist in third countries".
Trade in wines and spirits between the EU and United Kingdom are almost on a par, with €2.3 billion in British wines and spirits sold every year in the EU27 and €2.9 billion in European wines and spirits exported to the United Kingdom (including €2.3 billion worth of wine).
On 24 January, the European Parliament's environment committee is also expected to adopt its report on the revised regulation on the definition, presentation and labelling of spirits drinks, for which Pilar Ayuso (EPP, Spain) is the rapporteur. This is a mainly technical text and aims to ensure legislative compliance on spirits drinks with the Lisbon Treaty, particularly by strengthening the position of agriculture in this legislation and by harmonising the different regimes applicable to geographical indications. (Original version in French)