Brussels, 19/01/2009 (Agence Europe) - In Brussels on Monday 19 January, the agriculture ministers of the member states of the EU did not give their support to the recommendation (of the European Commission) for the European Community to join the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV). A number of countries suggested that the Community be first of all given observer status in this body, then see what happens next. Some of the producer countries are concerned about giving the European Commission too much power within this body (if the Community joined, the Commission would effectively be given a seat), whilst they are already sufficiently active within the OIV.
The OIV is an intergovernmental organisation of a scientific and technical nature which acts in the field of vine and wine, wine-based drinks, table grapes, dried grape products and other grape-based products. It was created by an international agreement in Paris on 3 April 2001. Six member states of the European Union are not members of the OIV: the United Kingdom, Poland, Denmark, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.
The objectives of the OIV are as follows: - to notify its members of measures allowing them to take account of the concerns of producers, consumers and others involved in the wine-making chain; - to contribute to the international harmonisation of existing practices and standards. (http://www.oiv.org ). (L.C/transl.fl.)