Examination of Witnesses (Questions 860
- 861)
TUESDAY 22 MAY 2007
MR GERARD CESAR
Q860 Lord Plumb:
Can I just say that I think my Lord Chairman answered the Senator's
point on what happens in regions where, if you are taking away
the business of people who traditionally have been producing a
lot of wine, it is all a matter of diversification, and I think
we see in Languedoc in particular that there are opportunities.
We were told there are 25,000 or 30,000 extra people going into
that region every year and so on. Having said that, we have a
saying in England which says that you cannot live off a view.
In other words, hills and uplands are where people are living,
if they cannot make a living out of what they have got, they will
very quickly tell you, "We are producing nothing, however
beautiful it is, so we cannot live off a view". We have to
recognise all of that. This is not one massive change that is
going to suit all. If there is going to be reform, then obviously
there has got to be some variation between the regions because
of the different product and the different methods of production.
Mr Cesar: Very good, thank you. There is information
from big wineries in Australia that they are pulling up their
vines and they have not yet harvested, so there is something of
a crisis down under. That is market driven.
Q861 Chairman:
Yes, absolutely.
Mr Cesar: I am sorry that I have to leave you
but thank you very much for coming, my Lords.
Chairman: Thank you very much indeed
for coming. Bon Chance!
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