We are very pleased with the position taken recently by MEPs on the revision of Regulation 110/2008 on the definition, description, presentation, labelling and the protection of geographical indications of spirit drinks
The outcome of the vote is very good news for the spirit sector; the spirit drinks regulation is the sector’s ‘bible’ and the positive vote on 1 March marked an important step in the process of the alignment of Regulation 110/2008.
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
Attention now turns to the Council where discussions on the new regulation continue. We hope Member States will reach similarly constructive 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
