Since the provisional entry into force of CETA in September 2017, our exports to Canada grew by 3%, mainly from the UK, France, Ireland with particular success for whisky and whiskey as well as Cognac and Liqueurs. And the perspective for the next years are extremely positive.
We are on the eve of the 2nd Wine & Spirits Committee meeting taking palce in Ottawa on 24 September. We have always been calling on the Commission to be strict on full and proper enforcement of negotiated FTAs and CETA is no excpetion. It is time for CETA to deliver on its promises, and in particular for the spirits drinks by removing remaining non-tariffs barriers. The first meeting of the Wine and Spirits Committee was held in Brussels on 5 July 2018 and a long list of topics has been addressed offering clarification on a number of issues such as on GIs’ protection but sadly, leaving open other issues related to commercial practices which should have been long solved. Unfortunately, no significat progress has been made since July 2018. We look forward to real progress this week.
We call on EU and Canadian authorities - despite the upcoming political transition both in Canada and the EU - to pursue their constructive agenda to fulfil their commitments. We also call on the Member States to complete the ratification process of the CETA.
In the meantime, we continue are close cooperation with with Spirits Canada, the Canadian spirits producers for a fair treatment of spirits – whether locally produced or imported.
Earlier this year, together with representatives of international spirits sector, we wrote to the authorities of British Colombia to ask for permitting grocery stores to offer a full range of imported wine and spirits which would provide the greatest benefit to consumers, while maximizing industry investment and provincial revenues from the sale and distribution of alcohol.
Similarly, further to the publication last May of the report for the Ontario Beverage Alcohol Review: “The Case for Change: Increasing Choice and Expanding Opportunity in Ontario’s Alcohol Sector” we are monitoring very closely the implementation of any policy changes. Let’s remember that the CETA framework calls for the respect of the non-discrimination principle between local and imported, including on distribution of products.
