No C 103/40 Official Journal of the European Communities 16. 4. 84 
APPENDIX I 
to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee 
Rejected amendments 
The following amendments to the Section opinion, tabled in accordance with the Rules of Pro­
cedure, were rejected by the Committee in the course of the discussions: 
Page 2, indent (ii) 
Replace by: 
'The current marketing problems are not all due to cereal substitutes. Low demand on the world 
market and the high exchange rate are much more important factors. In the past consumption of 
cereal substitutes was boosted by the sharp increase in cereal prices, which forced the compound 
feed industry, in particular, to seek alternatives.' 
Voting: 
For: 39, against: 41, abstentions: 3. 
Page 4, paragraph 2 
Substitute: 
'The Committee considers that in a free market the wheats suitable for making the different 
varieties of bread would command an appropriate premium over feed wheat, just as malting bar­
ley does over ordinary barley. The reference price for wheat of minimum bread-making quality is 
therefore unnecessary and serves primarily to enable wheat of a quality much of which the millers 
will not accept for bread-making to obtain a higher price. The Committee therefore considers that 
the reference price for wheat of minimum bread-making quality should be abolished. Meanwhile 
it approves the Commission's proposal to narrow the gap between it and the common interven­
tion price for wheat.' 
Voting: 
For: 20, against: 36, abstentions: 15. 
Opinion on the proposal for a Council Regulation amending Regulation (EEC) 
No 337/79 on the common organization of the market in wine 
(84/C 103/14) 
The text referred to the Committee has been published in Official Journal of the Euro­
pean Communities No C 338 of 15 December 1983. 
A. LEGAL BASIS FOR THE OPINION 
On 14 December 1983 the Council referred the abovementioned proposal to the 
Economic and Social Committee in accordance with Articles 47 and 198 of the Treaty 
establishing the European Economic Community. 
16. 4. 84 Official Journal of the European Communities NoC 103/41 
B. OPINION OF THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE 
The Economic and Social Committee prepared its opinion on the above matter at its 
215th plenary session held in Brussels on 29 February and 1 March 1984. 
The full text of the opinion is as follows: 
THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE, 
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the Euro­
pean Economic Community, and in particular 
Articles 47 and 198 thereof, 
Having regard to the request made by the Council 
of the European Communities on 4 December 1983 
for an opinion on the proposal for a Council Regu­
lation amending Regulation (EEC) No 337/79 on 
the common organization of the market in wine, 
Having regard to the decision taken by its Bureau 
on 14 December 1983, instructing the Section for 
Agriculture to draw up an opinion on the matter, 
Having regard to the opinion adopted by that Sec­
tion at its 249th meeting, held on 9 and 10 February 
1984, 
Having regard to the oral report made by the rap­
porteur, Mr de Caffarelli, 
Having regard to the discussions on 1 March 1984 
during the 215th plenary session, held on 29 Feb­
ruary and 1 March 1984, 
HAS ADOPTED THE FOLLOWING OPINION 
by 48 votes to 6 with one abstention: 
In general terms, the Committee endorses the Com­
mission proposals' aims of improving the quality of 
wines and ensuring greater equilibrium on the wine 
market. 
1. Short-term storage 
The Commission feels that, with the situation of sur­
plus which has existed since 1979, the permanent 
possibility of short-term storage no longer plays any 
role in stabilizing the market, though it places a con­
siderable strain on the budget. The Commission 
therefore proposes to abolish this measure. 
The Committee thinks that such a step would con­
stitute a fundamental change in the market support system, since it would end the only intervention 
measure directly triggered by the market price. 
In addition, short-term storage helps relieve pressure 
on the market by removing large quantities of prod­
uce from sale, especially in times of crisis. 
Abolition would not reduce the strain on the budget, 
since it would lead to a considerable increase in the 
quantities covered by long-term contracts. 
For all these reasons, the Committee finds the Com­
mission's proposal unacceptable. 
2. Aid for concentrated musts — enrichment 
2.1. The Commission proposes that aid for con­
centrated grape musts and for rectified concentrated 
grape musts should be confined to producers who 
can prove that their yield per hectare for the grapes 
or grape musts used is not greater than a figure to be 
fixed later, varying as necessary from one wine­
growing area to another so as to avoid disturbing the 
production capacity. 
The Committee supports this proposal, which is 
designed to prevent undesirable practices, such as 
efforts to achieve excessively high yields. 
2.2. The Commission feels that the aid regime for 
concentrated musts is linked to the use of sucrose to 
enrich wine, and that aid for concentrated musts is 
justified as long as this practice is authorized. 
As the Commission is proposing to ban sucrose as 
from the 1990 harvest, it is forced, by its own logic, 
to abolish aid for concentrated musts as well. 
The Committee has the following comments to 
make: 
— there is a long wine-making tradition of enrich­
ment using sucrose in some regions of the Com­
munity; 
No C 103/42 Official Journal of the European Communities 16. 4. 84 
— the abolition of aid for concentrated musts and 
rectified concentrated musts could be coun­
tenanced only on a gradual basis in order to ena­
ble those in the wine trade to modify technical 
processes, equipment and marketing circuits. 
As the Committee has repeatedly come out in 
favour of using only grape products in wine making, 
it accepts the Commission proposal authorizing 
only enrichment by concentrated musts or rectified 
concentrated musts after the 1988/89 season. 
The Committee trusts that: 
(i) the abolition of aid for musts and the ban on 
enrichment using sucrose will be carried out in 
parallel, so as to ensure proper coordination 
between the markets for these two categories of 
product intended for enrichment of wines; 
(ii) the new measures will not lead to an increase in 
users' production costs. 
Finally, the Committee is concerned about the con­
sequences of such a reform in wine making if it were 
to be applied in future to sparkling wines and 
flavoured wines. 
3. Relief distillation 
According to the Commission's proposal, if a crisis 
arises in a limited area, it should be possible to limit 
distillation only to that area. 
The Committee would point out that the application 
of such a measure might cause difficulties with 
adjacent areas excluded from intervention arrange­
ments. 
As regards the criteria for fixing aid, the Committee 
could accept the Commission's proposal, but hopes 
that a minimum base for the amount of aid will be 
laid down in advance. 
4. Minimum natural alcohol content 
The Commission's plan to increase natural alcohol 
content is aimed at keeping down yields and mak­
ing enrichment less necessary. The Committee would point out that most Euro­
pean wine growers feel that the minimum figures 
currently laid down in the different production areas 
in the Community are high enough. 
The Committee could endorse this Commission pro­
posal aimed at improving the quality of wines, pro­
vided that the new rules on minimum natural 
alcohol content are respected in all regions of the 
Community — both northern and southern. 
The Committee welcomes the Commission's 
announcement that it intends to submit a report 
before 1 January 1987 on: 
— wine production conditions likely to result from 
the ending of aid for concentrated musts and 
the ban on the use of sucrose; 
— the consequences to be drawn with regard to 
increasing the natural alcohol content. 
The Committee asks the Commission to submit, at 
the same time, proposals to solve any problems 
which might arise from the proposed measures on 
wine enrichment, as a result of the traditions and 
wine-making rules in some wine-growing areas of 
the Community. 
5. Wine deliveries 
The Commission proposes a return from 8 % to the 
10% laid down up to 1982. 
This measure, which has an undeniable impact on 
quality, could be approved, but it should be pointed 
out that it would constitute a sacrifice by producers 
equivalent to a co-responsibility levy of 2 %. 
6. Compulsory distillation 
By abolishing the one month's room for manoeuvre 
which it has at present, the Commission is trying to 
make any decision to resort to compulsory distilla­
tion more automatic. 
The Committee can accept this, but points out that 
it would constitute a further restriction in the wine-
producing sector. 
As regards the planned differentiation between 
regions on the basis of yields, the Committee feels 
that although such a proposal is a good idea in prin­
ciple, it would pose difficulties in implementation, 
16.4.84 Official Journal of the European Communities NoC 103/43 
especially in determining the different areas con­
cerned. 
The Committee also points out that such a scheme 
might favour areas or parts of areas where the yields 
were highest. The Committee hopes that the Com­
mission will take the necessary steps, in good time, 
to overcome any difficulties which might arise. 
7. Additional suggestions by the Committee The Committee considers that this question should 
be included in the review of the common organ­
ization of the wine market which the Commission is 
at present planning. Because of the considerable 
delay in this matter, and in view of the recent judge­
ment by the Court of Justice (Judgment of 12 July 
1983), there is an urgent need for a harmonization 
and reduction of excise duties in the Community to 
help bring about better competition conditions and 
to expand outlets in the Member States. 
The Committee would like to draw the attention of 
the Community authorities to a number of problems 
which are not taken into account in the Commis­
sion's present proposals. 
7.1. Limitation of plantings 
The Committee appreciates the fact that the Com­
mission is tackling the question of limiting plant­
ings, in its proposals for related measures for 
1984/85 and in its further proposals on the common 
agricultural policy. 
7.2. Ban on irrigation 7.4. Preventive distillation 
The Committee welcomes the changes to the current 
provisions on preventive distillation suggested by 
the Commission iii its proposals for related meas­
ures for 1984/85. 
Indeed, the Committee feels that the market could 
really be improved if certain changes were made to 
these provisions. 
Thus, preventive distillation open from 1 September 
could be really encouraged if there was a sufficient 
price difference in relation to compulsory distilla­
tion, whether the latter was contemplated or not. 
The Committee confirms its view on banning irriga­
tion, except in cases where it is essential to the 
survival of the vineyard. 
7.3. Excise duties 
On many occasions the Economic and Social Com­
mittee has asked the Commission to bear in mind 
the problem of harmonizing excise duties in the 
Community. Moreover, if it was possible to deduct quantities dis­
tilled under preventive distillation from compulsory 
distillation, encouragement would be given to distil­
lation at the start of the marketing year, which 
would lead to a healthier market. 
It is clear that a market which was healthy at the 
start of the marketing year would be easier to man­
age and would require less intervention, which 
would save money. 
Done at Brussels, 1 March 1984. 
The Chairman 
of the Economic and Social Committee 
Francis CEYRAC 
APPENDIX 1 
to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee 
Rejected amendments 
The following amendments to the Section opinion, tabled in accordance with the Rules of Proce­
dure, were rejected by the committee in the course of the discussions: 
No C 103/44 Official Journal of the European Communities 16. 4. 84 
First paragraph to read as follows: 
'The Committee doubts whether the Commission's proposals will achieve their objectives 
(improvement in quality, balance on the wine market and substantial financial savings).' 
Voting: 
For: 12, against: 41, abstentions: 5. 
Point 2.1 
End the first paragraph after: 
'to be fixed later' 
in the fifth line. 
Voting: 
rejected by an overwhelming majority. 
Point 2.2 
Delete the whole of the first indent at the foot of the page. 
Voting: 
rejected by an overwhelming majority. 
Point 2.2, third paragraph 
To read as follows: 
'— There is a long wine-making tradition of enrichment using sucrose in some regions of the 
Community. A blanket ban on using sucrose would not take account of this procedure which 
is preferred in certain EEC regions, 
— The planned abolition of aid for concentrated musts would not provide much relief for the 
budget, but it would make wine production dearer, which would be reflected in higher prices 
for the consumer.' 
Voting: 
For: 12, against: 41, abstentions: 4. 
Opinions on the 
— proposal for a Council Regulation amending Regulation (EEC) No 2601/69 laying 
down special measures to encourage the processing of certain varieties of oranges 
— proposal for a Council Regulation amending Regulation (EEC) No 1035/72 on the 
common organization of the market in fruit and vegetables 
— proposal for a Council Regulation amending Regulation (EEC) No 516/77 on the 
common organization of the market in products processed from fruit and vegetables 
(84/C 103/15) 
The text referred to the Committee has been published in Official Journal of the Euro­
pean Communities No C 301 of 8 November 1983 and C 324 of 29 November 1983, 
page 6.