Parliamentary question - H-0922/2006Parliamentary question
H-0922/2006

Reform of the EU wine sector

ORAL QUESTION H-0922/06
for Question Time at the part-session in November 2006
pursuant to Rule 109 of the Rules of Procedure
by Milan Gaľa
to the Commission

The Commission has proposed a reform of the wine sector with the aim of contributing towards achieving the Lisbon strategy and ensuring the competitiveness of wine producers in the enlarged EU. With this in mind, production should react to the needs of the European and world markets. While sectoral reform is welcome, why does the Commission propose the grubbing-up of vineyards in return for financial compensation instead of a more effective system of restructuring vineyards and stepping up wine-growing and wine-making marketing and information activities? Furthermore, why does the Commission propose the introduction of a harmful ban on the use of sucrose for enrichment of wine, and why does the reform proposed by the Commission fail to pay greater attention to climatic conditions and traditions in individual EU Member States? Does not the Commission consider that the two measures mentioned above might harm the diversity and unique character of wine-growing and wine-making in the EU, which might ultimately lead to an even greater reduction in competitiveness?

 

 

Tabled: 24.10.2006

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