|
|
At the regular general meeting of the German Winegrowers' Association (DWV), President Klaus Schneider demanded more legal certainty from German and European politics in his report on the situation. Specifically, Schneider opposed the proposals of the EU Commission on the sustainable use of plant protection products (SUR), on which DWV had communicated its points of criticism several times. DWV rejects the current reform proposal. Regarding the protection of geographical indications and names (geo-protection), Schneider said: "We have to nip in the bud any initial steps that lead to a watering down of the high standards of geo-protection for wine!" and emphasised the importance of geo-protection for the German wine-growing regions.
The DWV President criticised the legal uncertainty surrounding the mandatory declaration of nutritional values and ingredients, which will come into force this year, and the European alcohol policy. In view of the fact that in Ireland, in future, a reference to a possible risk of cancer in connection with alcohol consumption would have to be put on the label and in Scotland and Belgium, comprehensive advertising bans were being discussed, DWV demanded a clear separation of moderate consumption from harmful alcohol abuse.
Klaus Schneider sees the cost explosion in connection with declining domestic sales as a further challenge for the profession. The cost pressure on German winegrowing enterprises would be further increased by a possible increase in the minimum wage.
The President of the Rheinhessen Winegrowers' Association, Jens Göhring, was elected Vice President of the DWV.
(al / Source: DWV)