Press Release: Commission welcomes Council and Parliament approval of new Spirit Drinks regulation

European Union agriculture ministers today reached political agreement on the new Spirit Drinks regulation, thereby sealing a first reading agreement between the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament. The new regulation enhances the clarity of EU legislation on spirit drinks, combines two previous regulations into one and adapts the rules to take account of technical changes, WTO requirements and the EU's system of geographical indications. The new regulation sets out clear definitions for all spirit drinks, and should help producers market their products while providing new clarity for consumers. One of the main points of discussion since the proposal was tabled by the Commission in December 2005 has been the definition of vodka. The new regulation leaves the current definition unchanged, but changes slightly the labelling requirements. In future, vodka made from cereals or potatoes will be labelled simply as vodka. Vodka based on other raw materials will bear the indication 'produced from' supplemented by the name of the raw material used. This Regulation shall enter into force on the seventh day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.