EU seeks to tackle wine crisis

The European Commission called 22 June 2006 for a root-and-branch reform of the Common Market Organisation for wine. The plan aims to increase the competitiveness of EU wine producers, strengthen the reputation of EU wines, win back market share, balance supply and demand and simplify the rules, while preserving the best traditions of EU wine production and reinforcing the social and environmental fabric of rural areas. The Commission considers four options for reform, and comes out clearly in favour of a radical reform model specific to the wine sector.

Follow the subsequent progress of the European Commission initiative through this link: {http://ec.europa.eu/prelex/detail_dossier.cfm?CL=en&ReqId=0&DocType=COM&DocYear=2006&DocNum=319}

European Commission: Press release: IP/06/824: Wine: Profound reform will balance market, increase competitiveness, preserve rural areas and simplify rules for producers and consumers http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/06/824&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

European Commission: MEMO/06/245: EU wine reform: Background information on the wine sector http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/06/245&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=fr

European Commission: DG Agriculture and Rural Development: Wine sector: Reform of the wine sector http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/capreform/wine/index_en.htm

European Commission: Communication: Towards a sustainable European wine sector http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/capreform/wine/com2006_319_en.pdf

---