EU OFFICIALS SOFTEN WINE REFORMS

EU officials are now softening reforms to help drain Europe’s oversupply problem. After announcing plans to dig up 400,000 hectares of vines last year, Commission officials are now calling for the destruction of only 200,000 hectares of vines. Instead, the EU will put greater emphasis on marketing wines abroad with its new promotional campaign.

The new plan will also include a dramatic reduction of subsidies currently paid to wine growers and a reduction in grants to those who wish to leave the industry.

Revised reform proposals for the EU wine sector are expected to be adopted by the European Commission July 4th.