On Tuesday 10 June, the Member States of the European Union made progress towards a common position on the proposal for a regulation amending the market rules and support measures in the wine sector (see EUROPE 13619/8).
The Special Committee on Agriculture (SCA) has examined a compromise text from the Polish Presidency on this dossier and hopes to adopt a negotiating mandate on 19 June to begin discussions with the European Parliament.
In the meantime, the Polish Presidency of the Council will take account of Tuesday’s discussions at the SCA and present an updated compromise text on 19 June.
For example, the European Commission’s proposal uses the term ‘light alcohol’. The Polish Presidency had suggested using the term ‘low alcohol’. At the CSA, some delegations indicated that they would prefer the terms ‘reduced alcohol’/’alcohol reduction’, so as not to mislead the consumer.
Several delegations also welcomed the fact that the Polish Presidency of the Council had proposed increasing the rate of support for measures to promote European wine in third countries.
The European Commission has stressed the importance of rapidly reaching a compromise between the institutions on this package of proposals for the wine sector. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)