Several members of the European Parliament’s Agriculture Committee criticised Ireland’s proposed new rules on the labelling of alcoholic beverages on Tuesday 8 November.
The European Commission has indicated that it is not opposed to the Irish bill as it would meet public health requirements.
The Irish bill includes a health warning (label on the link between alcohol and fatal cancers), the indication of the amount of grams of alcohol (and the calories and kilojoules).
Herbert Dorfmann (EPP, Italian) expressed surprise at the different national rules, while rules exist in the Common Market Organisation (CMO) and the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
Clara Aguilera (S&D, Spanish) said that the Irish bill “worries us”.
This bill seems contrary to the functioning of the single market, said Irène Tolleret (Renew Europe, French), Christine Schneider (EPP, German) and Mr Dorfmann. Ms Tolleret considers this text “disproportionate”, contrary to what the European Commission thinks.
Ms Tolleret said that the text would force producers to differentiate products sold on the Irish market from those intended for other destinations, “which will result in very heavy additional costs and will be a barrier to trade”. The Irish decision will have “an effect equivalent to a quantitative restriction”, Ms Tolleret said.
These MEPs considered that the Irish proposal does not respect the labelling rules laid down in EU legislation. Furthermore, this draft anticipates the expected proposal (by the end of 2022) from the Commission to revise the Regulation on food information to consumers.
Mazaly Aguilar (ECR, Spanish) referred to it as a violation of EU rules by Ireland. She advocated the benefits of the Mediterranean diet, including moderate wine consumption. Juan Ignacio Zoido (EPP, Spanish) refuted Ireland’s “alarmist” claims on labels.
Under the ‘TRIS’ notification procedure, 9 EU countries have submitted “detailed opinions” on the Irish bill and 4 have submitted comments. The Commission did not oppose the Irish plan, which these MEPs do not understand.
For Martin Häusling (Greens/EFA, German), on the other hand, “this agitation” of the previous MEPs is “a bit exaggerated”. Ivan David (ID, Czech) supported the Irish bill, as did Luke Ming Flanagan (The Left, Irish).
“This national measure is proportionate. It is based on health objectives”, the Commission concluded. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)