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Italy will join France and Spain in taking action against Irish warnings on wine labels. This was announced by the Italian Minister of Agriculture, Francesco Lollobrigida, on the fringes of the EU Council meeting on "Agriculture and Fisheries" in Brussels, after meeting with his Spanish and French colleagues.
A document had been drafted which was now to be signed by other EU countries. Lollobrigida stressed that he had already spoken with his Greek and Portuguese colleagues. They want to find a common position aimed at informing consumers correctly without damaging the reputation of products. The minister spoke at length about the need to distinguish between moderate consumption and abuse. Italy, he said, believes that wine, when consumed "in moderation", is also a factor of well-being. Considering the role of the Irish Ministry of Health in this matter, Lollobrigida would consult the Italian Minister of Health, Orazio Schillaci, in order to be able to discuss the Italian position with the Irish colleagues in detail.
In Italy, meanwhile, the government's agriculture committee also approved a resolution against the Irish initiative. This decision was greatly welcomed by all Italian wine associations such as Confagricoltura, Cia, Copagri, Alleanza delle cooperative italiane, Unione italiana vini (UIV), Federdoc, Federvini and Assoenologi.
"We welcome and support the content of the resolution in which the government commits to oppose the measures taken by Ireland. We will intervene through all possible international and European channels to avoid a new stigmatisation of our product," the associations said in a joint statement.
(ru / Source: Agrisole; Photo: 123rf.com)