New vine planting rules aimed at giving the EU sector more flexibility to meet growing world demand have just been published.

The rules introduce a new scheme of authorisations for vine plantings, allowing for a yearly limited expansion in the EU’s wine area. As agreed in the 2013 Common Agricultural Policy reform, the scheme will apply from January 1, 2016, and replaces the transitional planting rights regime.

EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development Phil Hogan said: “The new system provides flexibility for the European wine sector to gradually expand production, in response to growing world demand. At the same stage, member states have a range of safeguards to apply in order to address possible social and environmental risks in specific wine production areas.”

A recent external study concluded that despite growth in the volume and value of EU exports to third countries since 2008, and a marked improvement in the trade balance, the EU continues to lose market share on world markets. Furthermore, the total consumption at world level is forecasted to increase up to 2025, while continuing to decrease overall in the EU. Therefore, this market trend shows that the EU wine sector will be increasingly dependent on exports in the future.

Both member states and the European Parliament expressed unanimous agreement for these rules, which confirm how the member states should manage – at national level – the system of free, non-transferable planting authorisations.

The rules also outline the safeguard mechanism for new plantings.

Authorisations are limited to one per cent growth in a member state’s vine surface per year, with options for member states to apply, where properly justified, growth limits at national or regional level, or for areas with/without geographical indication.

The rules also clarify the transition from the current system to the new scheme and how valid planting rights can be converted into authorisations. Rights in the reserve that are not granted to producers by the end of 2015 will cease to exist after that date.

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