Today member states’ representatives in the Special Committee on Agriculture (SCA) approved the Council’s negotiating mandate on a package of measures aimed at boosting the competitiveness and resilience of the EU wine sector. The measures will support the wine sector by curbing excess supply, enhancing climate resilience, simplifying labelling, extending planting flexibility, and boosting rural economies through wine tourism.
The new measures will help the sector adapt to changing consumption patterns, manage production potential and harness new market opportunities. Moreover, the updated rules will ensure the EU wine sector continues to support rural areas by creating job opportunities and supporting rural economies.
The EU wine sector is an important part of European cultural heritage and it also plays a vital role in supporting rural communities and economies. The measures will empower the sector to navigate current challenges, meet the evolving needs of consumers, and seize new global opportunities.
Czesław Siekierski, Polish Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development
Main elements of the Commission proposal
In order to better align wine production with demand, the proposal includes:
measures for surplus prevention: member states will be able to support action, such as grubbing up (removing unwanted or excess vines) and green harvesting (removing unripe grapes before harvest), to prevent excess supply and help stabilise the market; this will help protect producers from financial strain
planting flexibility: producers will have additional flexibility under the replanting authorisations scheme, which would be extended to eight years
stronger climate support: for investments aimed at climate change mitigation and adaptation, member states will be able to increase the maximum EU financial support to 80% of the eligible costs
harmonised labelling: operators will benefit from a more harmonised approach to wine labelling, which will reduce costs and simplify trade across EU borders while providing consumers with easy access to information; this includes the use of pictograms and electronic labelling
promotion of wine tourism: producer groups managing wine protected under geographical indications will receive assistance to develop wine-related tourism, helping to boost economic development in rural areas
Main changes agreed within the Council
The Council agrees with the overarching goals of the Commission’s proposal, which takes into account the recommendations of the high-level group on wine. However, the Council proposes a number of changes to improve the text.
Low or no alcohol
The Commission proposed a set of harmonised rules for the marketing of innovative products, such as wines with a reduced alcohol content or without alcohol.
The Council agrees with the Commission’s proposal to use the term ‘alcohol-free’ if the alcoholic strength of the product does not exceed 0.5 %. This would be accompanied by ‘0.0%’, if the alcoholic strength does not exceed 0.05%.
For products with a reduced alcohol content (above 0.5% but at least 30% lower than the minimum strength for the category before de-alcoholisation), the Commission proposed using the term ‘alcohol-light’. However, the Council considers that this term would not be appropriate in certain EU languages and that users might be misled. The Council proposes the term ‘low-alcohol’ for this category instead.
Enhanced promotion measures
The Council agrees with the Commission’s proposal to extend the duration of EU-funded promotional campaigns in non-EU countries from three to five years to ensure better promotion of European wines abroad and unlock market opportunities.
The Council suggests further improving the text by allowing EU support for promotion and information measures to cover a maximum of 60% of the costs. Member states would be able to grant national payments to cover up to 30%, and national and EU payments combined would not exceed 80% of the relevant expenditure.
Exports
Member states also consider that wine intended for export should be exempted from the obligation to include on its label the list of ingredients and the nutrition declaration required for the EU internal market.
The Council proposes this exemption in order to reduce the administrative burden for producers who export and also have to comply with the legislation in place in non-EU countries.
Support to combat plant diseases
Flavescence dorée is a plant disease which poses a major threat to wine production. Only prevention and management can help contain it, as there is no cure once a vine becomes infected.
To prevent its spread, the Council introduces support actions to combat it, including monitoring, diagnostics, training, communication and research.
Aromatised wine products
The Council also clarifies that the use of rosé wine is allowed in the case of additional regional aromatised wine products compared to the Commission’s proposal, to meet new consumer demand and in line with the need for product innovation.
Next steps
With this agreement, the Council presidency is ready to start negotiations with the European Parliament, once the latter has agreed its position.
Background
The EU wine sector is a cornerstone of Europe’s cultural and economic fabric. It represents 60% of global wine production and is the third-largest EU agrifood sector in terms of exports. The wine sector also helps counter rural depopulation by creating stable jobs and sustaining local economies. Furthermore, it contributes to the conservation of European cultural heritage, with 88% of EU vineyards dedicated to geographical indications.
The sector is currently facing a number of challenges, including ongoing demographic shifts, changing consumption patterns, climate challenges and market uncertainties.
To address these challenges, the high-level group on wine policy (HLG) was established to discuss the sector’s needs and propose solutions. The European Commission’s proposal, published on 28 March 2025, takes into account a number of key recommendations made by the HLG.
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