At the Special Committee on Agriculture (SCA) on Thursday 19 June, the EU Member States could reach an agreement on a compromise text regarding measures to support the wine sector.
This text could therefore serve as a mandate for the Council of the EU to negotiate a full agreement with the European Parliament on the ‘wine package’ (see EUROPE 13656/13).
The latest compromise text from the Polish Presidency of the EU Council, dated 13 June, includes some minor adjustments compared to previous texts and the European Commission’s initial proposal (see EUROPE 13610/1).
In particular, it specifies that it should be permitted to produce de-alcoholised or partially de-alcoholised sparkling wines, “semi-sparkling” wines, aerated sparkling wines and aerated semi-sparkling wines directly from de-alcoholised or partially de-alcoholised still wines, either by a second fermentation or by the addition of CO2, as appropriate.
In order to further support producers in their efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change, improve the sustainability of production systems and reduce environmental impact, Member States should be allowed to increase the maximum EU financial support for investments pursuing these objectives, “up to 80%” of eligible investment costs, according to the draft regulation.
The text also emphasises the need to avoid a proven risk of devaluing a protected designation of origin or a particular protected geographical indication, including the risk of their circumvention, misuse or abuse of their reputation.
Finally, the Polish compromise specifies, with regard to the de minimis rule, that the planned vine planting authorisation scheme does not apply to Member States whose wine-growing area has not exceeded 20,000 hectares (compared to 10,000 ha in the proposal) in at least three of the previous five marketing years, unless these Member States decide to implement this authorisation scheme.
Link to the compromise text: https://aeur.eu/f/hcv (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)