(1)

The Union wine market is affected by a structural reduction of the Union consumption since years. Moreover, in the more recent years, the Union wine sector has faced considerable challenges. The loss of sales due to the closure of the HORECA sector during the Covid-19 pandemic was not fully compensated by an increase in consumption at home. After the pandemic, the cost-of-living crisis and the unstable international situation weighed on the demand for wine, both on the Union market and on the most important export markets.

(2)

Furthermore, there seems to be a shift in consumer demand worldwide towards lighter wines, especially white, rosé and sparkling wines, to the detriment of traditional red wines. The combination of the structural trends and changes in the wine demand, combined with the unfavourable conjuncture in recent years has caused a recurrent market imbalance and increased uncertainty for vine growers, concerning their investment decisions and the choice of vine varieties.

(3)

In addition, wine growers are being severely affected by more frequent and severe adverse meteorological events and more extreme weather conditions, as well as rising input costs, making it more difficult to find the right timing to carry out the planting and secure the investment, often delaying the decision to proceed with their application.

(4)

Against this background, many wine growers need to carry out an in-depth analysis of vine varieties which are more resistant to drought and diseases, or more adapted to changing consumer demand to improve their competitiveness and decide the best moment to re-plant vineyards after grubbing-up.

(5)

In accordance with Article 9(1), first subparagraph, of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/274 (2), vine growers may submit such an application for replanting at any time during the same wine year in which the grubbing up takes place. However, Member States may decide that the submission of applications for authorisation for replanting can be made until the end of the second wine year following the one in which the grubbing up took place.

(6)

Vine growers who grub up vineyards should be given more time to analyse the situation before having to decide if they wish to replace their old vineyards at all and if they choose to do so, which grape variety and cultivation method is best adapted to the changing climate and consumer demand.

(7)

To enable vine growers to make an informed decision, it is necessary to extend by 3 years the time-period Member States can allow between the grubbing up of a vineyard and the submission of an application for a replanting authorisation.

(8)

Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/274 should therefore be amended accordingly.

(9)

The measure provided for in this Regulation is in accordance with the opinion of the Committee for the Common Organisation of the Agricultural Markets,