Media releases
Monday, 9 December 2002 - MVT160/2002
Global Agreements on World Wine Making Practices and Labelling
a Step Closer
This week's moves by the World Wine Trade Group towards mutual acceptance
of national wine making practices and an agreement on wine labelling
is good news for Australian wine producers and exporters, Trade Minister
Mark Vaile said today.
"These initiatives are likely to lead to significant cost savings
for Australian wine producers and exporters," Mr Vaile said.
"A wine labelling agreement would reduce the need for different
labels to be produced for different markets - something which has
been a real burden to our exporters."
During a meeting of the Group in Mendoza, Argentina, this week,
Argentina acceded to the Agreement on Mutual Acceptance of Oenological
Practices under which parties agree to accept each other's winemaking
practices, subject to legitimate health and food safety tests. Australia,
the United States, Canada, Chile and New Zealand have signed the
Agreement. The United States and Canada have ratified the Agreement.
Members of the Group also progressed discussions for a wine labelling
agreement.
"One of the results of the meeting was the prospect of the Group
opening up a dialogue with the EU on wine trade issues," Mr Vaile
said.
"It could only assist Australian exporters to discuss greater flexibility
in regulatory requirements with the EC, our largest wine export market."
The World Wine Trade Group is made up of government and industry
representatives from Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, New Zealand,
South Africa and the United States. Brazil, Bolivia, Mexico, Paraguay
and Uruguay also participated in the meeting making this the Group's
largest meeting to date.
The Group's next meeting will be held in Geneva from 2-4 April 2003.
Media Contact: Robyn Bain +61 02 6277 7420
Local Date:
Friday, 21-Nov-2008 16:14:34 EST
