Brussels, 17/10/2006 (Agence Europe) - On 24 October, the Agriculture Council is expected to be able to reach a “general compromise approach” on the new rules for defining, presenting and labelling spirit drinks. Council guidelines will be forwarded to the European Parliament that is to give its opinion on the issue in January 2007 (first reading, codecision procedure). Discussions of the Special Agriculture Committee (SAC) on 16 October showed that a majority of Member States support the Finnish Presidency's amended proposal which, among other things, resolves the thorniest problem of vodka sales denominations (see details in EUROPE 9283). The compromise provides for two categories of vodka: the traditional “vodka” (made from cereals, potatoes or beetroot molasses) and vodka made from ingredients other than the above. Only some Baltic States consider that the text does not fully preserve the reputation of traditional vodka, while Poland seems satisfied on this point. Also, the United Kingdom hopes sugar cane will be added to the list of authorised ingredients for the manufacturing of “pure” vodka. (lc)