Written question on Crisis in the wine spirit sector

9 July 2010- Question for written answer E-5187/2010 to the Commission Rule 117 Karl-Heinz Florenz (PPE) Question for written answer E-5180/2010 to the Commission Rule 117 Elisabetta Gardini (PPE), Paolo De Castro (S&D), Giovanni La Via (PPE), Giovanni Collino (PPE), Sergio Paolo Frances Silvestris (PPE), Lara Comi (PPE), Antonio Cancian (PPE), Amalia Sartori (PPE), Sergio Berlato (PPE) and Francesco De Angelis (S&D)

France has authorised production on a trial basis – although the enormous quantities produced are intended to supply traditional markets – of spirits and/or distillates classed as having been obtained ‘from wine' in spite of the fact that they are made from by-products of wine-making which have as a whole or in part been delivered to distilleries in order to fulfil the obligation referred to in Article 103v of Regulation (EC) No 491/2009[1].

– In Annex XIb, point 1, of Regulation (EC) No 491/2009 wine is defined as ‘the product obtained exclusively from the total or partial alcoholic fermentation of fresh grapes, whether or not crushed, or of grape must'; the ingredients have to be processed by the producers themselves in the manner laid down by the rules in force.

– In Annex II of Regulation (EC) No 110/2008[2] ‘wine spirit' is defined as a spirit drink produced exclusively by the distillation of wine or wine fortified for distillation or by the redistillation of a wine distillate.

– Regulation (EC) No 110/2008 also stipulates that the only by-products of wine-making from which spirits and/or distillates may be produced are marc and/or lees.

– By-products of wine-making may not be used to produce wine once they have been obtained as such or entered in winery registers.

The above-mentioned production is severely distorting competition on the European and world markets in potable alcohol.

These so-called wine spirits and/or distillates are sold at very low prices, given that the raw material used is much cheaper to obtain than wine as such.

In the light of the foregoing, can the Commission say what steps it will take to restore legality and ensure compliance with EU legislation in the face of the practice now being employed?