Press releases

spiritsEUROPE welcomes the vote in Plenary today on the revision of the regulation on spirit drinks

Brussels, 1 March 2018 – The revision of Regulation (EC) No 110/2008 on the definition, description, presentation, labelling and the protection of geographical indications of spirit drinks was voted today in first reading in the European Parliament. The spirit sector is very pleased with the position taken by MEPs.

“The outcome of the vote is very good news for the spirit sector; the spirit drinks regulation is the sector’s ‘bible’ and today’s positive vote marks an important step in the process of the alignment of Regulation 110/2008” said Ulrich Adam, Director General of spiritsEUROPE.

We are extremely grateful to the rapporteur and all the shadows and MEPs for the constructive discussions on this technical dossier.  “We are particularly satisfied that MEPs agreed that spirits should continue to be made only from agricultural raw materials and that by-products from the beer sector should not be permitted.  That decision will maintain the spirit sector’s traditional and longstanding link to agriculture, which is greatly valued by all producers” said Nick Soper, Internal Market Director at spiritsEUROPE.

“Attention now turns to the Council where discussions on the new regulation continue.  We hope Member States will reach similarly helpful conclusions and that the institutions can then find a consensus which, while allowing for flexibility to update the legislation when necessary, respects the tradition and culture of the 47 product categories and 250 GIs produced across Europe and exported all over the world”, concluded Ulrich Adam.

ENDS

NOTE TO EDITORS

For more information, please contact Nick Soper, Internal Market Director:  soper@spirits.eu /

+32 472 62 17 17

• spiritsEUROPE proudly represents the most valuable European agri-food export and with it the interests of the spirits sector in 31 national associations as well as of the 8 leading multinational companies.  Distilled spirits are as diverse as the EU itself, spanning 46 product categories and including a host of geographically-specific products that contribute to the culture of their regions (250 GIs).
• The sector generates €23bn in excise duties & VAT; 1 million jobs in production & sales; and €10.2bn exports outside Europe.