Strasbourg, 19/06/2007 (Agence Europe) - At first reading (codecision) on Tuesday 19 June in Strasbourg, the European Parliament approved an amended proposal on new rules for the definition, presentation and labelling of spirit drinks. A bitterly negotiated compromise within the EP and with the other institutions on the composition and labelling of vodka should allow the Council to rapidly adopt the text, at a single reading.
With adoption of the report by Horst Schnellhardt (EPP-ED, Germany) on this dossier, the EP introduces the most consensual definition of vodka possible - a spirit drink made from ethylic alcohol of agricultural origin: - 1) either potatoes and/or cereals; - 2) or other agricultural raw materials. In the first case, operators will indicate the term “vodka” on the bottle label. In the second, the label will have to clearly indicate what the vodka is made from (plus the name of the raw materials used, such as molasses, apples or grape). Furthermore, in the context of the overall agreement, an amendment gives details on the “slivovice” made in the Czech Republic. This product will be called a “spirit drink” but the name “slivovice” may be placed on the bottle label.
According to the compromise, aromatics are banned for some spirits (rum, whisky, spirits made from cereals or wine, brandy, etc.), except for the addition of caramel as a colouring. (lc)