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Reformation or Counter Reformation Exploring the New Eu Wine Labelling
The proposed European Union (EU) wine labelling law changes are under
the microscope, coming under fire inside and outside the EU. Alfred Mautsane Thutloa takes the debate to wine experts and institutions to find out what it's all about? |
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The
EU is the biggest producer, consumer, exporter and importer of wine in
the world. The region saw a net export of 3 billion Euro in 2006
according to the European Commission. The reform of the EU wine market,
adopted by the Council of Ministers in April 2008, plans to
systematically restructure the manner in which the industry is managed.
Referred to as Regulation (EU) 479/2008, these laws will be implemented
to ensure EU wine production equals demand; to counter wasteful public
intervention in EU wine markets; and to redirect expenditure to make
European wine more competitive internationally. The majority of these
laws have come into effect since 1 August 2008, however, winemaking
practices and labelling laws will apply from 1 August 2009, with the
implementing rules being published in 2009.
There is much to be said about labelling laws, and at face value it all
seems straightforward. But these are not minor tweaks and alterations,
the new laws will include ingredient listing, health warnings, units of
alcohol, calories and allergens on labels. Surely, this will affect the
EU domestic market, and as a non-EU wine producing country exporting
wine to the EU, South African winemakers are bound to feel the effects.
I explore the benefits and flaws of these laws; my overarching question
to everyone is... are these a good idea?
In a press release by the European Commission (EC) titled "Towards a Sustainable European Wine Sector",
Marian Fischer Boel, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural
Development says: "We must boost the competitiveness of our wine
producers; free them from unnecessary constraints; improve quality;
devote more money to promoting European wines; protect the environment
in our wine-growing regions; and make things easier for our consumers
through clearer labelling. I believe that our proposals will do all
these things - reinvigorating the EU's wine sector and unleashing its
considerable untapped potential." In the same release the EC states
that the current labelling rules prohibit some wines from indicating
basic information such as harvest year and type of grapes used,
indications they believe are valuable to consumers when purchasing
wine.
"To ensure that consumers are provided with the information they need,
labelling rules will be simplified to allow all wines to indicate the
harvest year and vine variety. This will enable EU wine producers to
compete more effectively with the New World wines," says the European
Commission release. According to the release, the Commission aims to
simplify labelling provisions with the institution of a single legal
framework applicable across all categories of wine and all indications
of wine. The legal structure is aimed at providing consumers with the
information they need and to improve the flexibility of labelling
policies. The EC believes that this will be more in line with World
Trade Organisation policies that repealed the distinction between the
rules of labelling wines with and without Protected Geographical
Indication (PGIs).
The EC seems keyed up about these labelling policies, but there is a
lot of uncertainty in the air. "We are indeed in the throes of EU wine
labelling reforms and there is a lot at stake. However the situation is
very complex - each of the policies have their own papers and
legislative changes. Moreover, the situation is still fluid - for
example definitions of Protected Designation of Origin (PDOs) and
Protected Geographical Indication (PGIs) are still being worked out,"
says Sian Liwicki from the UK Vineyards Association.
Read the full article here: http://www.wine.co.za/News/News.aspx?NEWSID=12940
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Published: December 09, 2008