The European Union has rejected a proposal to create an organic wine category, despite regulation being 'urgently needed'.
‘Organic’ wine producers in Europe can only state their wine is made from organically-grown grapes and politicians have been debating the introduction of an organic wine category.
Copa-Cogeca, which represents 11 million European farmers and 40,000 cooperatives, has criticised the EU for the proposal’s collapse. Its secretary-general Pekka Pesonen, said: ‘I am really disappointed by the move.’
‘EU legislation on organic wine is urgently needed in order to harmonise rules on organic wine at EU level and to develop the market for this product, especially since there is increasing demand for it,’ he added.
The proposal looked for a lower limit on sulphites, fewer permitted additives, and banning five winemaking techniques such as the spinning cone, which removes alcohol from wine.
EU Commissioner for Agriculture & Rural Development Dacian Ciolos withdrew the draft proposal but added, ‘Our hope would be that…the Commission can come back to these proposals in future.’
Written by Rebecca Gibb
