The European Commission (EC) have welcomed a deal struck with Chinese wine producers which ends an anti-dumping and anti-subsidy investigation into European exports.
The European and Chinese wine industries have reached an agreement which will lead to the termination of Chinese investigations into European wine exports which started in July 2013 and will provide the basis for technical cooperation and exchanges planned for the next two years.
"I welcome the amicable solution which has been found by the two industries," said the EU Agriculture Commissioner Dacian Ciolos, "My expectation is that the question mark hanging over EU wine exports as a result of the Chinese investigation is now clearly resolved and this is very good news."
Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht said: "I applaud the fact that the Chinese wine industry will withdraw its application for anti-dumping and anti-subsidy measures. I expect that the case will now be formally terminated so that the EU wine industry can continue to export its quality products to China in a fair and competitive environment.
EU wine exports to China amounted to €764 million (about $1.06 billion) in 2012 of with 71% from France, 11.7% from Spain and 10.1% from Italy.
Upon the withdrawal of the complaint and the subsequent termination of the investigation by the Chinese authorities, the EU wine industry will provide a number of technical assistance packages to China in areas such as winegrowing, including experimental vineyards and mechanization techniques; winemaking and quality control;, marketing approaches; wine tastings; and the Geographical Indications protection system.
In parallel to the investigation, a "Business to Business" dialogue between the EU wine industry, represented by the European Committee of Wine Companies, and the Chinese wine industry, represented by the Chinese Alcohol Drinks Association, was initiated in November 2013 in Beijing.
© 2014 - European Supermarket Magazine by Enda Dowling
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