Strengthen a market-oriented Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) that promotes competitiveness and reduces administrative complexity; reconcile tradition and innovation in EU legislation to adapt wine products to new expectations, demand and consumer trends, while preserving wine culture; support climate resilience and the green transition by defining the principles of sustainable wine production; prioritising mitigation measures and recognising ecosystem services; strengthen the EU's single market and reduce costs by fully harmonising regulations, promoting digitalisation and facilitating e-commerce for wineries; maintain an ambitious EU market vision that pursues an assertive trade strategy to widen market access, address trade barriers and protect wine products from unrelated trade disputes; adopt a coordinated, pragmatic and science-based health policy in the EU, distinguishing between moderate wine consumption and alcohol abuse and promoting constructive dialogues; here are the key points, the 6 priorities of the "Manifesto on the future of the EU wine sector" published today by Ceev, the European Committee of Wineries (and which for Italy counts among its members Federvini and the Italian Wine Union - UIV, ed.), to deliver a programmatic document to the next EU parliament that will be renewed with the elections that will take place between 6 and 9 June 2024.
A Manifesto that focuses on an important sector, which contributes 130 billion euros to the GDP of the European Union, with a market value of over 100 billion euros, 52 billion euros in taxes generated for the European coffers and 3 million jobs, which has seen exports go from 3.9 billion euros in 2004/2005 to 17.9 billion euros in 2022/2023, "a cornerstone of the EU economy (which produces 64% of the world's wine), particularly in rural areas where it plays a crucial role in the fight against depopulation", to which, however, "climate, regulatory and social challenges pose significant obstacles to the sustainability of the sector, and are putting it at risk", explains Ceev.

"Unpredictable extreme weather events, inflation, rising production costs, geopolitical uncertainty, demonisation of alcoholic beverages: the EU wine sector is facing a number of structural and cyclical challenges that are endangering its long-term sustainability," said Mauricio González-Gordon, President of CEEV, He added: "The EU wine sector brings significant benefits to our society, so it is our heritage, our rural areas and its economy that are at risk." "We need a coherent approach to wine in the political arena to update laws and oppose unfair attacks on our wine culture. Only in this way will we be able to ensure the strength and longevity of the EU wine sector and continue to offer unprecedented diversity, heritage and excellence in every bottle - underlined Ignacio Sánchez Recarte, Secretary General of CEEV - our Manifesto includes a series of concrete proposals to safeguard our rich heritage, promote sustainable growth and ensure a prosperous future for European wine".

SOURCE: WINENEWS.IT