The European Union’s proposed measures on wine are raising alarms within the industry. Christian Marchesini, president of the National Wine Federation of Confagricoltura, has strongly criticized the latest European Commission document. According to Marchesini, the changes to the 2021 Beating Cancer plan outlined in the new proposal are even more detrimental than the previous version, which had already been rejected by the European Parliament.
The Commission’s new measures focus on areas such as product accessibility, consumer information, and alcohol advertising. The EU believes that introducing higher alcohol taxes and health warnings on product labels, including for wine, will help achieve broader health policy goals.
Marchesini stressed that the wine sector is already grappling with challenges such as tariffs, declining consumption, and ongoing uncertainty. He described the proposed regulations as unacceptable, emphasizing that while they do not oppose the principles of the Beating Cancer plan, wine is more than just an alcoholic drink. It is a cultural product intertwined with agricultural practices, contributes to regional economies, and forms an integral part of the Mediterranean diet, which is recognized as UNESCO heritage.
Confagricoltura, in collaboration with the wine industry, is urging Italian Members of the European Parliament to push for a return to a more scientific and pragmatic discussion. The organization argues that the proposed document poses a serious threat to a sector that is crucial to both the Italian and European economies.
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