Brussels, 24/10/2003 (Agence Europe) - Given the scant progress made in five years of negotiations with the United States on the conclusion of a global agreement on wines and spirits, the European Commission is planning to come to a "mini-arrangement" with the Americans in this sector, giving priority to oenological practices and the protection of geographical indications and registered trademarks. This a minima agreement will be all the more vital as derogations on certification and labelling in the trading of wine between the EU and the United States expire at the end of the year.
At the last Special Committee on Agriculture (CSA), on 20 October, the Commission representative took stock of the state of talks with the American administration. He indicated that the United States had agreed to protect European wines against the competition of semi-generic wines, but that this had still to be accepted by the American Congress (at the end of a lengthy procedure: ED). This point of agreement does not relate to the trademarks themselves, which are still to be discussed, said the Commission. On oenological practices, at this stage it is planned to allow the US to use their own procedures, except adding water (limited to a maximum 3% of the product).
The points of disagreement at present are as follows: - the Americans are calling for a common EU position on export support tariffs (an issue to be resolved at WTO level); - Washington wants the EU to recognise American labelling rules for American bottles sold within the Community; - for geographical indications, the Americans reject the protection which is provided by the public authorities of the country of origin of the wine, or even by international arbitration.
Member States concerned at balance of these arrangements
Although they are encouraging the Commission to continue its efforts to conclude a "mini-arrangement", most wine-producing Member States of the EU would like to see greater balance. They note with alarm that American wines will not be subject to European labelling standards, and yet Community wine will have to respect all rules in force across the Atlantic. These Member States also fear that the American legislative process on protection against semi-generics will not come off. They find it difficult to accept the automatic recognition of American oenological practices, without, at the very least, a positive list of authorised practices. Furthermore, certain future Member States of the EU would like to see their wines included on the list of wines enjoying protection against semi-generics, which the Commission is disposed to do. Talks on this dossier will continue at the level of Member States' experts responsible for commercial issues (Committee 133), and in the Committee of Permanent Representatives of the Member States to the EU (Coreper).