The Wine Intergroup of the European Parliament, led by tis chairman MEP Astrid Lulling (EPP, Lu) and with Christa Klass (EPP, De), Agnès Le Brun (EPP, France)  and  Giancarlo Scottà (EFD, I) did a study trip to the North of Italy to discover the needs and specificities of the veneto sparkling wine appellations. They met the Consortium for the protection of Asolo Prosecco Superiore DOCG, the Consortium of Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG and the Consortium of Prosecco Doc.

Central moment of the visit was the conference held in Treviso July 13th  when they are were expected by all the parties involved and they discussed the protection of appellations issue. The meeting was focused on three main aspects that need to characterize the protection of Prosecco and its denominations. Giancarlo Scottà MEP did a introductory speach which highlighted how it is important that those who represent winegrowers in Europe  know the land and the identity of the product. Only in this way, in fact, the Intergroup Wine has the ability to fully understand the requests submitted by the producers and highlighted precisely at the meeting.  Innocente Nardi, President of the Consorzio Tutela Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore, explained the technical measures regarding the issue of protection towards third countries.

The president of the Consortium for the protection of Asolo Prosecco Superiore DOCG Armando Serena,  pointed out the extraordinary nature of the work done so far. “The reorganization of the world Prosecco, which took place in 2009, represents a major achievement, made possible thanks to the collaboration of all the actors of the production chain.” And the President of the Consorzio Tutela Prosecco Doc Stefano Zanette addressed the assembly about  protecting appellations  at community level.

“With the success of Prosecco achieved in recent years it was necessary to contain and redraw the entire production area, to protect consumers and producers themselves.”, he said.

To conclude the meeting, Astrid Lulling MEP, chairman of the  wine Intergroup at the European Parliament, first highlighted the importance of the Lisbon Treaty that entered the codecision procedure through which nothing can happen in the CAP (common agricultural policy) without the consent of the European Parliament. This principle allows territories to highlight the problems at the time of any decision of the European Commission, allowing the Parliament to consider and possibly blocking issues, such as the liberalization of planting rights that the European Parliament succesfully fought.

Regarding the issue of the protection of appellations of origin, this must be addressed in a unified manner at European level. In this way you can get the greatest achievements such as against the United States. Astrid Lulling MEP hen concluded her remarks, noting that the intent of the Intergroup Wine is to give European solutions for European viticulture. The European Parliament should then be seen by all manufacturers and organizations of the member countries, as an ally and the visit of these days is of fundamental importance for this reason.

Henry BORZI, Miguel D. DESNERCK

with ufficio stampa GHEUSIS