Brussels, 14 December 2012. Today was held the last meeting of the High Level Group (HLG) on planting rights established by Commissioner Ciolos in January 2012. EFOW, the European Federation of Origin Wines, welcomes the outcome of the discussions which took place during the last HLG. EFOW now waits for Commissioner Ciolos to translate these recommendations into proposals within the framework of the CAP reform. However, EFOW hopes improvements will be made especially as far as the date of entry into force and the duration of the future system are concerned.
The issue of the liberalisation of planting rights, which was decided in 2008 and should enter into force on 1 January 2016, has mobilised EFOW for over 2 years. 15 Member States, representing 98% of the wine production in Europe, and the European Parliament oppose this measure. Following their call, Commissioner Ciolos established a High Level Group in January 2012. The HLG met for the 4th and last time on 14 December to present its’ recommendations.
At this meeting, an agreement was reached on a new instrument for regulating the wine production potential which will apply to all Member States and to all categories of wine (PDO, PGI, and WWGI). EFOW welcomes the final recommendations of the HLG. They improve the existing system by establishing a new framework of planting authorisations applicable in all Member States on the basis of objective and non-discriminatory criteria which provides for an overall method to manage the growth of the vineyard at the EU level. As explained by the President EFOW, Mr. Riccardo Ricci Curbastro, “this new instrument will not only support and reinforce the sustainable development of our sector in terms of market potential, but furthermore it will maintain fair competition between Member States. We commend the efforts of all the HLG stakeholders that helped achieving this good result“.
EFOW will continue to monitor closely this issue in the coming weeks, including the expected proposal from Commissioner Ciolos based on these recommendations. EFOW hopes that some improvements will be included in the final text, in particular as regards the date of entry into force and the duration of the future system. It is indeed important to provide a transition period but also to ensure the continuity of the system. These elements have yet to be approved in the framework of the reform of the CAP (Single CMO Regulation). EFOW counts on the support of the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament.
Contacts:
Daniela Ida ZANDONA (Bruxelles) : +32472900396
Pascal BOBILLIER-MONNOT (Paris): +33610267473
Jesus MORA CAYETANO (Madrid): +34661586614
Pasquale DE MEO (Rome): +390644250589
Alberto RIBEIRO DE ALMEIDA (Porto): +351222071647
David BRASZIL (Budapest): +3614137527