11International Vine and Wine Organisation
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Committee’s assessment |
Politically important |
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Cleared from scrutiny, drawn to the attention of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee |
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Document details |
Proposal for a Council Decision to be adopted on behalf of the EU with regard to certain resolutions to be voted in the framework of the International Organisation for Vine and Wine (OIV). |
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Legal base |
Articles 43 and 218(9) TFEU |
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Department |
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs |
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Document Number |
(38705), 8554/17 + ADD 1, COM(17) 221 |
Summary and Committee’s conclusions
11.1The International Organisation for Vine and Wine (OIV) is an intergovernmental organisation which sets standards for viticulture, oenological practices, definitions, labelling and methods of analysis. Currently 46 States are members of the OIV, among which 20 are EU Member States. The UK and the EU itself are not members.
11.2Resolutions adopted by the OIV (by consensus of its participating members) are not legally binding but they serve as a reference for members and, in particular, may be used as a relevant international standard according to the World Trade Organisation’s Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade.
11.3The proposal under scrutiny sought to establish the voting position of the EU members of the OIV on certain draft resolutions (those affecting EU law) which were scheduled to be adopted in the context of the 15th General Assembly of the International Organisation for Vine and Wine (OIV) held in Sofia, Bulgaria on 2 June 2017.
11.4Due to the timing of the General Election, it was not possible for the Committee to consider the document before its adoption. When we first considered this document, on 13 November, we noted that it had already been adopted and that the Government had abstained in order to avoid overriding the scrutiny reserve. We took the opportunity to raise the issue of UK membership of the OIV, increasingly relevant as the UK withdraws from the EU and thus loses its current indirect influence.
11.5The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (George Eustice) has responded, acknowledging that Brexit will impact on the UK’s ability to engage in discussions that take place in the OIV and shape the rules that underpin domestic wine production and international wine trade. He states that UK membership of the OIV is one of the many areas being considered as part of the UK’s future international engagement strategy. The Minister will keep the Committee informed of the Government’s thinking and any decisions made in this regard.
11.6The Minister acknowledges that withdrawal from the EU will have an impact on the UK’s influence in the OIV and that future UK membership of the OIV is therefore one of the areas under active consideration by the Government. We are pleased that the Government is considering the matter and we look forward to further information on those deliberations.
11.7The document is cleared from scrutiny. We draw this chapter to the attention of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee.
Full details of the documents
Proposal for a Council Decision to be adopted on behalf of the EU with regard to certain resolutions to be voted in the framework of the International Organisation for Vine and Wine (OIV): (38705), 8554/17 + ADD 1, COM(17) 221.
Background
11.8The International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV) is an intergovernmental scientific and technical organisation active in the sector of vine, wine, wine-based drinks, table grapes, raisins and other vine products. The objectives of the OIV are: (i) to inform its members of measures whereby the concerns of producers, consumers and other players in the vine and wine products sector may be taken into consideration; (ii) to assist other international organisations involved in standardisation activities; and (iii) to contribute to international harmonisation of existing practices and standards. Further details on the background to, and content of, the proposal were set out in our Report of 13 November.
11.9In his original Explanatory Memorandum, the Minister was content that the OIV resolutions represented positive developments for the wine sector and national and international wine trade.
11.10At its meeting of 13 November, the Committee considered that the UK’s decision to withdraw from the European Union added significance to the document as the UK was not a member of the OIV. The Committee asked for comment on the following matters:
- any consideration being given to future UK membership of the OIV and the timescale for making such a decision clear; and
- the implications for the UK wine industry of the UK not joining the OIV and thus having no direct or indirect influence on the development of international guidance on winemaking practices.
11.11The Committee observed that, due to the timing of the General Election, it was not possible for the Committee to consider the document before its adoption. We noted that the UK abstained and therefore that the scrutiny reserve was not overridden.
The Minister’s letter of 4 December 2017
11.12The Minister recognises that the decision that the UK should leave the EU will have various implications, not least re-engagement at the international level where hitherto the UK has been represented through the EU.
In the case of the OIV specifically, he says:
“I am aware that withdrawal from the EU will impact on our ability to engage in discussions that take place there and shape the rules that underpin our domestic wine production and international wine trade. UK membership of the OIV is one of the many areas being considered as part of our future international engagement strategy. A timetable in relation to such announcements has not been set but I will of course keep you and your Committee informed of our thinking and any decisions made in this regard.”
Previous Committee Reports
First Report HC 301–i (2017–19), chapter 13 (13 November 2017).
22 December 2017