EUROPEAN COMMISSION DIRECTORATE-GENERAL FOR AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT

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1 EUROPEAN COMMISSION DIRECTORATE-GENERAL FOR AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT Directorate C. Economics of agricultural market and single CMO C.3. Wine, alcohol, tobacco, seeds and hops SUMMARY RECORD OF THE 111 th MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE FOR SPIRIT DRINKS ON 27/06/ President: J. ZORRILLA Delegations present: All delegations were present, except Malta 1) Adoption of the agenda. The agenda was adopted by all Member States delegates (MS). 2) Geographical indications (GIs): state of play. The Commission representative (COM) informed that the technical file of the GI "Ron de Guatemala" had been recently published in the Official Journal for the objection procedure. As regards the GI "Russian Vodka", COM reported that the clarifications requested to the applicant had been received. 3) Presentation of the Working document on the draft Commission Regulation establishing detailed rules for the implementation of Regulation (EC) No 110/2008. On compound terms and allusions to spirit drink categories Some MS expressed their preference to indicate the compound term and the sales denomination in the same field of vision. COM pointed out that restrictive labelling rules are not foreseen neither by Regulation (EC) No 110/2008 on spirit drinks nor by Directive 2000/13/EC on the labelling of foodstuffs. COM also stressed that, in any case, the obligation not to mislead the consumer applies. Some MS considered that, in the case of mixtures of spirit drinks, the percentage of the alcoholic ingredients should be required only once and that the rules on the labelling of mixtures should not apply to GIs. COM replied that those rules are important to avoid misleading labelling practices. Some comments were raised as regards the interdiction to refer, on the label, to flavours imitating spirit drinks with GI. COM stressed that the reference to a GI would only give an unjustified added value to a flavour that is only imitating a spirit drink. 1

2 On geographical indications Some MS expressed their opposition to the scrutiny by COM of the technical files of established GIs. A MS reported its opposition to the use of a logo which was established for other foodstuffs. COM assured MS that there would not be any arbitrary cancellation of GIs by the Commission and that any decision on cancellation would be implemented by a Commission Regulation that would be discussed with MS. COM also pointed out that the existing logo is already used for wine and other foodstuffs and that the aim is to harmonise the rules. 4) Presentation of the draft Commission Regulation amending Annexes II and III to Regulation (EC) No 110/2008. As regards the definition of "absinth", some MS requested to further decrease the anethole level, which is now fixed at 0,5 g, or to delete completely the reference to a minimum level for this substance. 5) Existence on the EU market of Indian whisky non-compliant with EU rules - Report from concerned MS. COM informed MS to be aware of a letter sent to some MS by the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA), which concerned some Indian Whisky not compliant with the EU definition of whisky, that was put on the market of those MS. The concerned MS reported that, from the controls carried out, no irregularities were registered so far on their market as regards this product. 6) AOB. Definition of "Geist" Two MS stressed the necessity to extend the list of fruits allowed for the production of "Geist" and "fruit spirits". COM answered that a working document on this issue would be presented in the next Committee. Bottling of Grappa and Polish Vodka Some concerns were expressed as regards the Italian provision concerning the compulsory bottling in Italy for Grappa. COM informed that a letter was going to be sent to the concerned MS shortly. Traditional production methods for "brandy" Some clarifications were asked as regards the possibility for certain spirit drink categories, among which "brandy", to use traditional flavouring methods of other MS. 2

3 COM answered that on this point a formal answer would be prepared by DG AGRI. Criteria for establishing tolerance ES referred to its presentation, in the Committee of 8 February 2012, of the methods applied in Spain for determining the tolerance for the indication of the alcohol content of a spirit drink and asked if COM considered the ES opinion in line with the EU applicable rules. COM answered that DG SANCO had been consulted on this point and that the methodology illustrated by Spain, in terms of labelling, seemed to be in line with the existing rules (signed) H. VERSTEIJLEN Director 3

4 Attendance list Summary record 111th Committee for Spirit Drinks Date: 27/06/2012 Member State Ministry or Organization Number of persons BE Service public Wallonie 1 Vlaamse Overheid 1 Ministère des Affaires Économiques 0 Ministère des Affaires Sociales, Santé Pub. et Env. 0 BG Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry 0 Ministry of Economy and Energy 1 Executive Agency on Vine and Wine 0 CZ Ministry of Agriculture 1 SZIF (State Agriculture Intervention Fund) 0 SZPI (Agriculture and Food Inspection Authority) 1 DK Fødevarestyrelsen 1 Directoratet for Fodevareerhverv 0 DE Bundesministerium für Ernährung, Landwirtschaft und 1 Verbraucherschutz (BMELV) BI für Risikobewertung 0 Bundesanstalt für Landwirtschaft und Ernährung (BLE) 0 Ministerium für Wirtschaft, Landwirtschaft und Weinbau 0 EE Ministry of Agriculture 1 Veterinary and Food Board 0 Permanent representation 0 IE Department of Agriculture 1 State Laboratory 0 EL Permanent Representation 1 Ministry of Finance 0 ES Ministerio de Agricultura, Alimentación y Medio Ambiente 1 Ministerio de Economía y Hacienda 0 Ministerio de Industria, Turismo y Comercio 0 Gobierno de la Rioja 0 FR Ministère de l Agriculture et de la Pêche 1 Ministère de l Économie, DG Concurrence, Consommation et 1 Répression des fraudes Ministère du Budget 0 FranceAgriMer 0 INAO 1 FIRS 0 IT Ministero delle Politiche Agricole e Forestali 1 AGEA (ex AIMA) 0 Ministère du Commerce Extérieur 0 Agenzie delle Dogane 0 CY Wine Products Council 1 LV Ministry of Agriculture 1 LT Ministry of Agriculture 1 4

5 LU Ministère de la Santé 1 HU Ministry of Agriculture 1 Agricultural and Rural Development Agency 0 MT NL Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality 0 Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation 0 Commissie Gedistilleerd 1 AT Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry 1 Codexkommission 1 AGES (Agentur für Gesundheit und Ernährungssicherheit) 1 PL Ministry of Agriculture 1 Ministry of Finance 0 PT IVV-Instituto da Vinha e do Vinho 0 Gabinete de Planeamento e Politicas 0 IFAP (Payment agency) 0 Représentation permanente 1 RO Représentation permanente 1 SI Ministry of Agriculture and Environment 1 SK Central Agricultural Control and Testing Institute (UKSUP) 0 Ministry of Agriculture 1 FI Ministry of Agriculture 0 National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health 1 SE Swedish Board of Agriculture 0 Ministry of Agriculture 0 National Alcohol Board 0 National Food Administration 1 UK DEFRA 1 Croatia (observer) Ministry of Agriculture 0 5