WRITTEN QUESTION E-2782/01

by Paulo Casaca (PSE) to the Commission

(9 October 2001)

Subject: Harmful effects of mixed strain wines

Community legislation bans the sale, though not the consumption, of wine produced from the hybrid Clinton, Jacquez, Noah, Isabelle and Herbemont strains.

An article by Jean-Claude Bouvier in Ardèche Parisienne No 1016 claims that there is no truth in the accusations levelled against wines made from grapes of these strains which have even, apparently, been being developed by the Montpellier INRA (National Agricultural Research Institute) for nearly six years.

Does the Commission believe that there is conclusive evidence that wine made from these strains is harmful to public health? If so, would it please provide exact references for the relevant scientific sources?

If it has been conclusively shown that drinking such wines is harmful to the public, is it not simply incomprehensible that what is banned is merely the sale and not the consumption thereof which is banned?

Is it not essential that the public be fully and unambiguously informed as to the possible harmful effects (or lack of them) of drinking this kind of wine?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(23 November 2001)

The Commission has no knowledge of the article cited by the Honourable Member.

Article 19 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1493/1999 of 17 May 1999 on common organisation of the market in wine(1) provides that only vine varieties appearing in the classifications established by Member States may be used for wine production, unless the wine is intended for consumption by the producer's family. This provision has been in the Community rules since 1987.

Since 1979 the rules have not allowed the six hybrid varieties mentioned to be included in the classifications of authorised and recommended varieties. Hence since that date it has been illegal to plant them in the Community.

In France it has been illegal since 1935 to plant them and since 1953 to offer their wine for sale for human consumption. All vines had to be grubbed up before 1957.

The prime reasons for exclusion are the health-related and gustatory defects of wine from these varieties: their foxy taste and high methanol content.

Improvement of wine quality, notably through varietal upgrading and strict wine marketing rules, is one of the principal reasons for common organisation of the Community wine market.

The Commission is not aware of any recent scientific study on the health effects of consumption of this type of wine. This is understandable when it has not been produced for more than 20 years.

(1) OJ L 179, 14.7.1999.