(Comment from zemeunvalsts.lv) “Undeniably, (...) [they] waste their own and others' time on relatively secondary issues” (1).
“We are very quick to produce various laws, and modern society is characterised by a ‘flood’ of regulations – something new is created and the legislator chases after it, trying to harmonise and organise the regulatory framework (...) (2)”
Of course, there is no General Directorate for the Alteration or Determination of Thoughts in Europe yet, but the idea that European officials and deputies, who are detached from real life, could start getting their hands on centuries-old traditions – in this case, winemaking traditions – seems repulsive. By the way, concerns about the short-sightedness and certain narrow-mindedness of European Union institutions are justified – not so long ago, there was a debate about what home producers would or would not be able to do, what seeds nursery growers could use, and so on. The problem in this respect is not only the unnecessary work and resources from the various proponents of regulations, but even greater work and resources from the part of those doing the actual work, who will be directly affected by the potential changes. We can, of course, listen to the apologetic phrase about the complexity and intricacy of democracy, but democracy must also be enjoyed in its best traditions. The right time for that is today.
(Translated from English)
It seems that the European Union could soon approve a previously prepared report in which, for some reason, wine is equated with tobacco. Such actions by EU institutions could end or at least significantly change the future plans, desires, and opportunities of winemakers, such as advertising their products and, if necessary, obtaining financial support.
In December 2021, as previously reported (2), the European Commission approved the conclusions included in the report by BECA (European Parliament’s Special Committee on Beating Cancer), which stated that any consumption of alcohol poses a health risk. In the vote (29 “in favour”, 1 “against”, 4 “did not participate”), it was decided to study this report thoroughly before the respective vote in the European Parliament.
(There is not much time!) Following the situation, it is, of course, unclear to what extent and whether the mentioned report will be accepted in Parliament, but winemakers in all EU member states could unexpectedly face serious restrictions that would affect, for example, the ways in which winemakers' products are advertised, how information about them is provided, and how wine sales are promoted. Another important nuance is how much wine will cost in the future and who will be able to afford it. Why such a question? There is a possibility that the EU will stop any funding that could in any way relate to alcoholic beverages, including wine, viticulture, and winemakers.
This development of events has truly surprised (and even shocked) Dr. Ignacio Sánchez Recarte, Secretary General of CEEV (Comité Européen des Entreprises Vins, European Committee of Wine Companies) (hereinafter Dr. Ignacio). In a conversation with The Drinks Business, he emphasised that by acting this way, European institutions look away or pretend not to notice the harm caused specifically by excessive (not moderate) alcohol consumption, but, in order not to delve too deep and put in the effort, they want to reduce the opportunity for everyone to consume it. (“If we cannot or are too lazy to solve a problem sensibly, let’s blast it with an atomic bomb.”) Dr. Ignacio emphasises that the methods chosen by Europe to fight excessive alcohol consumption could create unexpected and unpredictable working conditions for the European wine production industry.
Commenting on the conclusions included in the BECA report from the flawed studies examined within it (from a Lancet publication in 2018 (4)), namely, that “no safe level of alcohol consumption exists (alcohol in any amount – a drop or one, or several bottles – is harmful or unsafe for health)”, Dr. Ignacio explained that EU officials should not be interested in taking into account any research that suits or benefits someone’s personal or deeply selfish thoughts or intentions, which examines the impact of alcohol on health. Such an approach should be considered a “dogma forming around cancer.”
In any case, the conclusion that even a very small amount of alcohol (or even an interested look towards a bottle of alcohol) is harmful to humans contradicts centuries of scientific evidence suggesting that moderate (sensible) doses of alcohol provide health benefits.
Dr. Ignacio emphasised that a new, yet distinctly dogmatic approach to alcohol and its consumption is unacceptable – “limiting the availability and existence of alcohol in our society, instead of purposefully talking and acting against excessive alcohol consumption”.
By following such a path, there is a risk of equating alcohol with tobacco products, proposing to exclude winemakers from the opportunity to advertise, forcing health warnings to be written on wine labels, offering simplified or plain packaging, and reducing the possibility of purchasing wine (for example, by not selling it in certain shops).
“As the crowning glory of it all”, the planned tax increase on alcohol could make alcoholic beverages relatively illegal, leading to the creation of a “villain” image for the beverage production industry. Instead of reducing excessive alcohol consumption, the possibility of consuming alcohol at all is being reduced. To a certain extent, the future forecasts for the wine industry in the European Union are worrying, as the industry is highly fragmented, with many small producers operating in it who often hope for EU support.
Winemakers receive support for innovation, marketing the product, and adapting production to the changing climate. This could all disappear one day. Why? “Some representatives and employees of the European Commission want the exclusion of alcoholic beverages from any economic development policy.”
Furthermore, there is an obvious desire to emphasise the beverage production industry as the big villain, naming alcohol as the worst enemy.
In fact, those who know the situation understand that the viticulture industry is one of the foundations of socio-economic sustainability in many rural regions in Europe. In more than one (European) region, viticulture in the broadest sense is important and significant for rural development. Enjoying wine in moderate amounts is community, joy, and a local cultural tradition.
There is a real possibility that the BECA report will be approved in full in February, which will give the green light to the European Commission to reshape the entire set of regulations governing consumption, namely, to revise the consumption regulation. This will require, for example, delving into the revision of health-related messages concerning alcohol, namely, warnings about the harmfulness of alcohol will have to be redesigned so as to link alcohol consumption to the risk of cancer... thereby causing significant damage both to the image of wine production and to the understanding of it.
In his forecasts, Dr. Ignacio also predicts a serious audit of the availability of financial support in the viticulture sector. “In the next 2-3 years, the EU will undoubtedly revise several financial directives. We can also expect or encounter the withdrawal of finance (or a ban on granting it) for informative support to the wine sector.”
In summary, Dr. Ignacio is worried that those who want to destroy the wine industry in Europe (without explicitly announcing this desire, but hiding, for example, behind phrasal concerns for health) could receive certain moral support to offer (read – deliberately, intentionally, and groundlessly fabricated) particularly strict restrictions.
At the same time, as can be seen, both the wine industry and the beverage production industry as a whole have been given very little time to talk and convince European Parliament deputies about the sustainability and responsibility of the wine industry to society. We do not have much time for our own defence, to first clearly understand what science actually says about alcohol and health.
Currently, winemakers, vineyard keepers, and grape growers in Europe are caring for their vines, for their wines, and working with clients, not yet fully realising the world that the European Parliament is bringing closer to them (without offering them a choice)... The wine industry lives in its own information circle (bubble), which is small, excellent, and wonderful, but events and decisions outside its own circle can blow this world up in a very short time.
Whether it is a company manager, a winemaker, a vine grower, or... they do not yet realise what is happening. Our task is to speak and encourage the defence of the industry.
1. https://satori.lv/article/nepietiek-ar-ka-uzvards-nav-tramps
2. https://www.delfi.lv/video/raidijumi/spried-ar-delfi/st-priekssedetaja-moderno-sabiedribu-raksturo-likumu-atra-razosana-un-normu-pludi.d?id=53976960
3. https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2021/12/european-politicians-urged-to-recognise-the-health-benefits-of-moderate-drinking/
4. https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2021/10/flaw-found-in-no-safe-level-of-drinking-claim/