4 Use of interspecific vine varieties
for the production of quality wines
| (25239)
5142/04
COM(03) 838
| Commission Report on the use of interspecific vine varieties suitable for the production of quality wines produced in specified regions
|
| Legal base | — |
| Department | Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
|
| Basis of consideration | Minister's letter of 9 February 2004
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| Previous Committee Report | HC 42-ix (2003-04), para 7 (4 February 2004)
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| To be discussed in Council | No date set
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| Committee's assessment | Politically important
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| Committee's decision | Not cleared; further information requested
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Background
4.1 Under the Community's regulations on wine, quality wines must
be produced exclusively from grape varieties of the species Vitis
vinifera. As a consequence, interspecific (or hybrid) varieties,
containing crossings of non-Vitis vinifera, and historically
deemed to produce wines of less attractive taste, can be used
only to produce table wines. However, when the wine regime was
reformed as part of Agenda 2000, the Commission undertook to fund
an independent study of the use of interspecific varieties, and
to present a report, accompanied by proposals (if appropriate),
by the end of 2003.
4.2 In our Report of 4 February 2004, we noted that
the study in question had suggested that some interspecific varieties
could be suitable for producing quality wine under certain conditions,
and that the use of more sophisticated inter-species crosses had
the potential to "reduce significantly" the heavy application
of pesticides within the sector. Despite this, the report had
concluded that the prohibition on the use of hybrids should be
kept for the time being.
4.3 We also noted that, in his Explanatory Memorandum
of 29 January 2004, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State
(Farming, Foods and Sustainable Energy) at the Department for
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Whitty) had said that
the prohibition on the use of interspecific varieties for the
production of quality wines was a major issue for the wine industry
in the UK, which would like to be able to produce quality wines
from hybrid varieties (which are grown more easily here). However,
he gave no indication whether the UK accepted the report's conclusions,
and, if not, whether it intended to pursue the point further;
nor did he say what benefits the UK industry might have obtained
had the report concluded that some relaxation should be allowed.
We therefore said that, pending further information on these
points, we would hold the document under scrutiny.
Minister's letter of 9 February 2004
4.4 We have now received a letter of 9 February 2004
from the Minister, in which he says that the benefits to the UK
industry of being able to market increased volumes of quality
wines are difficult to quantify precisely, and that it is disappointing
that the Commission has not acknowledged that certain breeds of
hybrids, grown under the right conditions, have proved suitable
for the production of quality wines. He adds that, in view of
this, and because of the UK's particular interests, the Government
intends to ask the Commission why it has concluded that no action
should be taken for the time being to relax the current prohibition.
Conclusion
4.5 We note the action which the Minister now
proposes to take, and we would be interested to know the Commission's
response. In the meantime, we will continue to hold this document
under scrutiny.
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