Wine market reform: Family-owned wine estates need certainty for planning

Klöckner pointed out that one of the main concerns of the German viticulture would be an extension of the cultivation stop for vine plantings beyond 2015. This is the only way to prevent an uncontrolled expansion of production and to secure the future of many thousands wine estates in the regions with difficult cultivation conditions. Especially family-owned wine estates needed certainty for plannning.

In this context, the introduction of special structural assistance measures for winegrowing on steep slopes would also be important. “In view of the wine-making processes, the last year has shown that we need greater subsidiary, that is, more competencies for the member states,” continued the Secretary of State. “Especially when it comes to exemptions in regard to exceptional weather conditions, the member states must have the opportunity to react faster.”

In regard to wine designation rights, EU policy has to ensure that the German legislature retains the production rules for its Landwein- and quality wine regions in their hands in the future, regardless of national issues that have to be clarified yet in this respect.

“To give more emphasis to our demands, Germany will develop a memorandum on the future of the EU wine market organization and present it in Brussels this year,” announced Klöckner. “We will seek solidarity with the member states and tout for widest possible support of our memorandum.” The goal would be that the European Commission takes up the suggestions and will take them into account within the scope of the evaluation of the wine market reform which is due in 2012. (red.yoopress)