PURPOSE: the reform of the common organisation of the wine market in line with Agenda 2000 guidelines.
COMMUNITY MEASURE: Council Regulation 1493/1999/EC on the common organisation of the market in wine.
CONTENT: The Regulation sets in place a new common organisation of the market for wine, replaces the Regulations currently in force and greatly simplifies the legislation relating to this sector. The new common organisation of the wine market, as established under this Regulation, seeks to maintain a better balance between supply and demand on the Community market, allowing producers to take advantage of expanding markets and enabling the sector to become more competitive in the longer term. It also aims to eliminate the use of intervention as an artificial outlet for surplus production, maintaining all traditional outlets for potable alcohol and vine-based products, accommodating regional diversity and recognising the role of producer and interbranch organisations.
The successful application of restructuring and conversion instruments is intended to reduce any potential need to trigger the crisis distillation measures.
A new system for planting rights will enable a disciplined increase of the Eu wine production potential to enable the development of areas with a manifest need. A new system for managing plant rights will lead to greater flexibility and allow for the regularisation of plantings. The introduction of an inventory will enhance controls and information.
The Regulation contains 8 annexes that relate to:
- definitions of product terms and, in particular, of the different types of grape must and wine;
- alcoholic strengths;
- wine-growing areas;
- authorised oenological practices and processes;
- the limits and conditions imposed on oenological practices and processes, particularly concerning sulphur dioxide and volatile acid content, enrichment practices, acidification and deacidification, sweetening, etc.;
- quality wines produced in specified regions;
- the description, designation, presentation and protection of certain products other than sparkling wines, by way of obligatory and optional information, expressed in the language which may be used for labelling, as well as codes and brand names;
- the description, designation, presentation and protection of sparkling wines.
ENTRY INTO FORCE: 21/07/1999. The Regulation will apply from 01/08/2000.�