On November 5, the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee (Comagri) of the European Parliament approved amendments to the so-called “Wine Package,” part of the process to revise the EU regulatory framework for the wine sector. This decision marks a key step toward the final text, expected after the Trilogue between Parliament, Council, and Commission. However, reactions from Italian wine associations are mixed: while Federvini welcomes simplifications and measures to support promotion, UIV highlights concerns related to new provisions on vine grubbing and distillation.
Federvini: EU Wine Package Brings Simplifications and Promotion Support
Federvini expressed appreciation for the confirmation of labeling simplifications, including exemptions for products intended for export, and for the provision of higher support rates in sectoral interventions. Also positive is the extension of the duration of promotion projects—essential tools for consolidating international markets—and greater financial flexibility, which will allow unspent funds to be carried over to the following year.
“The vote by the Agriculture Committee of the European Parliament confirms the intention to support a sector that represents an excellence of the European agri-food system,” said Albiera Antinori, President of Federvini’s Wine Group. “We welcome the introduced simplifications and measures aimed at strengthening promotion, internationalization, and sustainability in the sector. Equally significant is the constant attention of Italian parliamentarians, who contributed concretely to the debate with a commitment focused on enhancing our wine supply chain. This result rewards constructive dialogue between European institutions and the production world and lays solid foundations for the final negotiation toward the definitive agreement.”
UIV: Light and Shadows, Concerns Over Vine Grubbing and Distillation
Unione Italiana Vini (UIV) appreciates the increase in the contribution for promotion in third countries—from the current 50% up to 80%—and the extension of program duration. Also positive is the pro-digitalization approach to labeling, while the proposal to replace the term “partially dealcoholized” with “reduced alcohol” is not convincing.
The most critical point concerns the inclusion of funding for vine grubbing and distillation among the eligible measures, without additional budget.
“This choice takes us back 15 years—a step backward toward welfare-oriented logic that clashes with the objectives of OCM measures,” commented Lamberto Frescobaldi, President of UIV. “Today, the European Parliament proposes a defensive measure already adopted unsuccessfully in 2009, with a €1 billion EU outlay, which risks diverting funds intended for development—and we cannot afford that.”
UIV hopes that, should the Trilogue negotiations confirm this approach, Italy will choose to safeguard the market-oriented strategy that has characterized the sector’s growth in recent years.
