The DRV's chief executive, Dr. Henning Ehlers, writes on her homepage: "In the orientation of DWV, the cooperative positions have recently played almost no role". What positions are these?
Fiss: To put it figuratively: We have drifted apart. A development that is quite similar to the course of an interpersonal relationship. At some point you realise that it no longer makes sense to live together under one roof. Individual reasons for this are difficult to pinpoint. It has been a longer process that ultimately led to separation or, in the case of the cooperative group, to leaving the German Winegrowers' Association.
To give a concrete example: let's take a brief look at the marketing channels! For us, the food retail trade (LEH) is an important partner. As the umbrella organisation of cooperative agriculture, the DRV is very broadly positioned and has expertise in all areas that affect the trade. For direct marketers, on the other hand, this knowledge plays only a subordinate role. This is just one example, but such differences have led to a situation where we no longer feel that our interests are adequately represented within DWV.
For a long time now, the Raiffeisenverband has been working directly in Berlin for its interests - independently of DWV. What improvements do you expect in terms of influence?
Fiss: Correct, as the umbrella organisation of cooperative agriculture we are very well networked in Berlin. After the withdrawal, we see the chance that the new basis for discussion will also lead to a more precise discussion and thus also to a more precise representation of interests. In any case, the discourse will change and the wine-growing policy discussion will open up. And this is not the end of the world, but a pragmatic opportunity to set new impulses.
The wine-growing policy discussion will open up
What is the significance of Großlage for the cooperatives? How do you see its importance for the future?
Fiss: The discussion about the Großlage is a backward-looking discussion. Especially if it is supposed to provide the reason for leaving. Apart from the fact that it would greatly simplify the decision-making process behind us, we are not interested in reconstructing past debates or positions in order to assign blame. The DRV as an umbrella organisation is looking to the future in solidarity with the regional cooperative associations, and this includes, for example, the implementation of the new designation law.
What does the participation of the cooperatives in the introduction of the Romansh designation law look like in concrete terms?
Fiss: The Romansh designation law is a fact. It is an EU-wide law that is gradually being implemented or has to be implemented in the individual member states - something in which the cooperatives in Germany are intensively involved in all wine-growing regions. And they are doing so within a very constructive working framework. At the moment, so-called protection groups are working out profiles of origin in all German wine-growing regions in the sense of the new designation law. Of course, representatives of the cooperatives are also actively involved in these regional working groups.
What marketing strategies will result for the cooperatives from the new Romansh labelling law?
Fiss: Marketing issues are the very own terrain of our member cooperatives and therefore the marketing strategies are also developed in the respective farms. And the new designation law will also provide the appropriate legal framework for this. The Romansh designations will prevail, on the wine-producer and wine-consumer side as well as in the trade.
Do you see opportunities for cooperatives to better distinguish themselves by implementing the new wine law?
Fiss: Certainly, the scope for design and profiling offered by the new labelling law is available to the entire wine sector.
Do you have the impression that the winegrowers' cooperatives have suffered image damage by leaving the DWV?
Fiss: No, I don't have that impression. The interest of the press shows that the internal conflicts were not communicated to the outside. I see this as a very respectful way for the individual parties to deal with each other. It is understandable that the resignation came as a surprise to outsiders. There hasn't been anything like this for a long time. But we did not take this decision lightly, after all there are 36,000 winegrowers' families who want to be represented by us. Such a step has to be carefully considered, well-founded and weighed up.