THE EU GETS UP TO SPEED WITH THE NEW WORLD
The European Commission in Brussels is expected to unveil major changes today designed to cutback on the overwhelming surplus in Europe.
In order to reduce production of low-quality wines, the Commission plans to pay winemakers $3 billion during the next six years to cut out 400,000 hectares of vineyards, according to the draft of planned changes. Cultivators that agree to the deal will get close to €180,000 in compensation for up to 15 years.
The proposal will also cutback on many of the restrictions on labeling and winemaking that have made it harder for European winemakers to compete with the New World producers. In the future, they will be allowed to name the wine’s variety and harvest year on the label, something New World winemakers already do. The use of oak chips will also be allowed.
"Minor changes to the status quo would be ineffective; they would not improve our competitiveness or restore a healthy market balance," European agriculture commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel said. We need "a thorough reform," she added.
However, “no winemakers will be forced to take the buyout option to stop producing and tear up their vines,” she said.
In order to reduce production of low-quality wines, the Commission plans to pay winemakers $3 billion during the next six years to cut out 400,000 hectares of vineyards, according to the draft of planned changes. Cultivators that agree to the deal will get close to €180,000 in compensation for up to 15 years.
The proposal will also cutback on many of the restrictions on labeling and winemaking that have made it harder for European winemakers to compete with the New World producers. In the future, they will be allowed to name the wine’s variety and harvest year on the label, something New World winemakers already do. The use of oak chips will also be allowed.
"Minor changes to the status quo would be ineffective; they would not improve our competitiveness or restore a healthy market balance," European agriculture commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel said. We need "a thorough reform," she added.
However, “no winemakers will be forced to take the buyout option to stop producing and tear up their vines,” she said.
posted at 12:19 PM
<< Home