The European Union accounts for 65% of wine production, 60% of wine consumption and 70% of wine exports, making it a world leader in these areas.

The COVID-19 pandemic has dealt it an unprecedented blow by closing the Horeca sector, which is its main source of marketing, especially for wines with a protected designation of origin. In fact, according to the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV), revenue and sales volumes are expected to fall by more than 50% and 35%, respectively.

However, industry professionals are dissatisfied with the Commission’s proposed measures to help the sector, because they lack flexibility and resources and are not forward-looking enough to have a decisive impact.

1. Does the Commission intend to adopt additional measures to support the revitalisation of the vine and wine sector, as it has pledged? If so, when?
2. What financial instruments will it adopt to support businesses in this sector, especially small wineries?
3. What measures will it take to mitigate the negative impact on local products, and especially on PDO and PGI wines?

See the question submitted to the EC by Stelios Kympouropoulos (PPE), Manolis Kefalogiannis (PPE), Anna-Michelle Asimakopoulou (PPE)

Answer given by Mr Wojciechowski here.