Written question asked by Lord Dixon-Smith (Conservative), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Rooker (Labour) on Friday, 16 June 2006.

EU: Wine, Fuel and Disinfectant

Question: What representations they have made to the European Commission following reports that it has recently ordered a quantity of French and Italian wine to be turned into fuel and disinfectant.

Answer: The UK has consistently made it clear that it believes that these measures should be used only in exceptional circumstances and that action is necessary to address the structural imbalance affecting Community wine production. We therefore welcome the news that the Commission is about to present an options paper for reform of the wine regime in order to improve the sustainability of the sector. The provisions relating to the crisis distillation of surplus stocks are laid down in article 30 of council regulation (EC) No. 1493/1999 on the common market organisation of the market in wine. These provisions allow member states to apply to the Commission for crisis distillation where there is a case of exceptional market disturbance caused by serious surpluses and/or quality problems, and require a Commission decision through the management committee procedure.

Secondary information