CAP regime and reform
Regime
Wine within the EU is subject to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Wine Regime. This is basically a set of rules that governs the sector, with the principal aim of achieving a balanced and open market. The principal features are rules governing production, oenological practices and processes (wine-making), classification of wines, a range of structural and support measures, detailed rules governing the description and labelling of wines, and imports from third countries i.e. countries outside of the EU.
The rules governing the Regime are laid down in a number of EU regulations, which are implemented in the UK by the following Statutory Instruments:
Reform
On 4 July 2007 the European Commission published its proposal for the reform of the Common Market Organisation (CMO) for wine. On 19 September 2007 Defra launched a consultation to gather views on the Commission’s proposal, the policy initiatives it contains and any comments on the accompanying impact analysis.
Development of this proposal began on 22 June 2006 when the Commission launched its consultation paper ‘Towards a Sustainable European Wine Regime’ which outlined four possible options for reform, ranging from essentially maintaining the status quo, to complete deregulation, with two intermediate steps, one based on the model of other CAP reforms or a hybrid model devised by the Commission. The responses to Defra’s consultation indicated general support, with certain qualifications, for a more market oriented regime with simpler labelling rules.
A copy of the Commission’s proposal, the impact analysis and other related promotional material, and Defra’s consultation can be downloaded from the following links.
- European Commission wine reform proposal (on the European Commission website)
- Defra consultation on the Commission’s wine reform proposal
Enforcement
The Food Standards Agency is designated as the competent authority for the enforcement and execution of Community regulations in the wine sector within the UK at all stages within the production and marketing chain other than retailing which rests with Local Authorities. See contacts page for contact details.
EU Legislation
The following provides brief details regarding the key EU legislation relating to the CAP Wine Regime. It does not provide an exhaustive account of legislation appertaining to the regime, nor is it intended to be a definitive statement on the law or a substitute for the legislation, which should be consulted and legal advice sought as necessary.
- Copies of all European Regulations can be obtained from the European Commission website
General rules
Basic Regulation
Council Regulation (EC) No. 1493/1999 on the common organisation of the wine market.
Detailed rules
Labelling
Commission Regulation (EC) No. 753/2002 lays down the description, designation, presentation and protection of certain wine sector products
Trade with Third Countries
Commission Regulation (EC) No. 883/2001 lays down the detailed rules regarding trade with third countries
Documents and Records
Commission Regulation (EC) No. 884/2001 lays down the detailed rules concerning documents accompanying the carriage of wine and records to be kept in the wine sector
Quality Wine
Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1607/2000 lays down detailed rules for quality wines
Oenological Practices and Processes (wine-making)
Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1622/2000 establishes a common code of oenological practices and processes
Intervention (structural and support measures)
Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1623/2000 lays down the detailed rules regarding market mechanisms
Page last modified: 20 September 2007
Page published 15 August 2006