In a High-Level Meeting on the future of wine policy, the CEEV recently presented its strategic vision and potential solutions for how the industry can tackle current and future challenges—primarily declining consumption, rising costs, and climate change to the European Commission.
The support from the EU should aim to strengthen both "wine operators’ competitiveness and capacity to adapt to markets demand" as well as the "resilience to climate change with adaptation and mitigation measures", stated the CEEV. The committee suggests focusing on several key areas.
Simplify, liberalise—and certify sustainability?
The EU should simplify administrative procedures, particularly in marketing measures, to allow greater flexibility in national programs. Additionally, labeling regulations need to be revised so that product information can be made available digitally without necessarily being included on the label. Furthermore, the CEEV calls for simplified EU regulations on e-commerce, fewer trade barriers for imports and exports, and an updated legal framework for (partially) de-alcoholized products. Moreover, the EU should establish general principles for sustainable production and communication. This could be interpreted as a call for an EU sustainability certification.
The CEEV is very sceptical about EU subsidies aimed primarily at reducing production, such as subsidies for "green harvesting" or vineyard grubbing-up premiums.
"If public funds were to be allocated for such actions, strict conditions must be applied," demands Ignacio Sánchez Recarte, Secretary General of the CEEV.
"The future of the EU wine sector rests with operators who are committed to its sustainability and development, and EU policies should focus on them and prioritise their needs," says CEEV President Mauricio Gonzáles-Gordon.
Germany: Industry Appeals to the Ministry of Agriculture
Organisations in Germany are also critically monitoring EU policies. In a statement to the German Federal Ministry for Food and Agriculture (BMEL), the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) of Trier has raised concerns. It has called for simplified funding and promotional measures to make national support programs more efficient and flexible. The IHK emphasizes the importance of supporting exports to non-EU countries, as well as the EU's internal market.
To reduce marketing costs, the IHK recommends harmonising regulations, simplifying rules, and promoting digitalization.
"There is an urgent need for action both in Brussels and at the national level," says IHK Managing Director Albrecht Ehses. Furthermore, EU policy must recognize wine as a cultural asset and make a clear distinction between moderate wine consumption and alcohol abuse.
