On Thursday 14 January, the European Commission indicated that it is ready to extend until October 2021 the exceptional support measures for the wine sector, which is in difficulty due in particular to new American taxes, . But it has yet to assess the need for further assistance.
Members of the European Parliament’s agriculture committee on Thursday protested against the 25% increase in US customs duties applied to non-sparkling wines and grape-based spirits (cognac, brandy) (25%).
John Clarke, a director in DG AGRI, pointed out that these taxes hit French and German products, which were spared by the October 2019 tariff increase.
He acknowledged the need for solidarity, as many agricultural sectors are already affected (olives, cheese, etc.), and others could be affected in the future. He also noted positive signals from the new US administration and hoped that a solution would be found in the coming months.
Market measures. Mr Clarke is not in a position, at this stage, to promise the adoption of new aid for the sectors concerned. “The CAP budget is limited”, he said. The Commission is going to carry out an in-depth examination, and “we are going to see whether additional aid is justified”, he stressed. The Commission is ready to extend until October 2021 the exceptional measures for the wine sector linked to the Covid-19 pandemic: increased EU contribution to national programmes, advances to operators for distillation and crisis storage.
Moratorium? Paolo De Castro (S&D, Italy), supported by several MEPs, suggested a six-month moratorium on trade disputes once the new administration is in place. Éric Andrieu (S&D, France) called for new funds to be mobilised, notably from the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund. Irène Tolleret (Renew Europe, France) advocated a compensation fund. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)