Brussels, 12/03/2007 (Agence Europe) - On 9 March, the Commission adopted a proposal to authorise the presence of malic acid in wines imported from Argentina into the EU, until the end of the negotiations underway between the EU and Mercosur on the conclusion of an agreement on the wine trade.
The use of malic acid is a practice used in winemaking, which has been approved by the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV) and which helps balance out the acidity of wines, but which is banned in the EU. Wines originating from third countries whose wine-making practices are not tolerated under Community rules cannot be offered for direct human consumption within the EU, unless they possess a derogation. The Commission therefore proposes to extend for two years, until 31 December 2008, the exemption which authorises the presence of malic acid in wines originating from Argentina.
Negotiations on, amongst other things, the recognition of the respective wine-making practices of both sides are currently underway between the EU and Mercosur, of which Argentina is a member, with a view to concluding a global agreement on trading in wine between both parties. These negotiations, which started in 2002, are still underway. This agreement is to bring in a possibility for Argentina to use this practice on a permanent basis. “Given the positive and constructive attitude of the Commission in these negotiations, and in order to avoid any disturbances to trade”, the provisional authorisation for this wine-making practice, which is very important for certain Argentinian wines, will be extended until the agreement stemming from the above-mentioned negotiations enters into force, and until no later than 31 December 2008. (lc)