Except for the proposals’ financial aspects, which have been largely ignored, the EU’s farming organisations have reacted well to the package of measures for the wine sector that the European Commission presented on Friday 28 March (see EUROPE 13610/1).
The EU’s agricultural organisations and cooperatives (Copa-Cogeca) have welcomed “this timely response”. Including grubbing up schemes in the sectoral toolbox - albeit financed by national funds - will help stabilise the wine market. Extending the period of validity for replanting authorisations and rapidly activating crisis measures are also necessary steps. Copa-Cogeca regrets that the Commission has not taken on board some of the High Level Group’s key financial recommendations, such as greater flexibility in using sectoral funds over several years and better management of resources within a single financial year.
Marzia Varvaglione, president of the Comité Européen des Entreprises Vins (CEEV), welcomed the proposal, stressing that, although European regulations cannot solve all the challenges, “they can create a suitable framework that will help the wine sector successfully navigate this difficult period”.
The European Federation of Origin Wines (EFOW) believes that the “targeted reform” presented constitutes a solid basis for discussions. However, EFOW members feel that the text can be improved on several points in order to benefit producers of wines with geographical indications. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)