The European Federation of Origin Wines (EFOW ) is very concerned about the direction that negotiations are taking on the vine planting authorisation system post-2030, it said in a press release published on Tuesday 26 January.
The issue surrounding planting rights was one of the subjects discussed in the trilogue (European Commission, European Parliament and EU Council) on Wednesday 27 January, under the framework of the regulation on the Common Market Organisation (CMO). The CMO is one of the three components making up the post-2020 reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
As far as EFOW is concerned, the EU Council and the European Parliament have a “strong mandate”: extend the duration of the current vine planting authorisation scheme with a 1% annual growth “since it is beneficial for the sector. This allows for a sustainable development of vineyards”.
However, the European Commission has proposed a 2% annual growth of the European vineyard from 2031 onwards (until 2040). “This compromise proposal does not respect the mandates adopted by the European Parliament and the EU Council. It is incomprehensible and irresponsible because it seriously jeopardises the continued harmonious development of our sector”, said EFOW.
A source told EUROPE that faced with protests from winegrowers and producer countries (such as France, Italy and Spain), the European Commission could withdraw its proposal. The Commission’s proposal makes no sense since the sector is in a state of overproduction, said the same source.
On the subject of planting authorisations, the co-legislators have yet to agree on extending the system, which allows the vineyard to grow in line with market developments. The EU Council has proposed an extension until 2040, while the European Parliament are advocating 2050. “The licensing regime helps to prevent crises of overproduction and declines in quality”, concluded EFOW. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)