Commission Regulation (EC) No 1083/2002 of 21 June 2002 amending Regulation (EC) No 347/2002 opening crisis distillation as provided for in Article 30 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1493/1999 for table wine in France
Date: 2002-06-21
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: France, common organisation of markets, distillation, table wine, viticulture, wine

L 164/22

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

22.6.2002

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 1083/2002

of 21 June 2002

amending Regulation (EC) No 347/2002 opening crisis distillation as provided for in Article 30 of
Council Regulation (EC) No 1493/1999 for table wine in France

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 1493/1999 of 17
May 1999 on the common organisation of the market
in
wine (1), as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 2585/2001 (2),
and in particular Articles 30 and 33 thereof,

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

Commission Regulation (EC) No 347/2002 (3) opens the
crisis distillation provided for in Article 30 of Regulation
(EC) No 1493/1999 for a maximum quantity of 4 mil-
lion hectolitres of table wine in France.

In view of the market situation for table wine in France,
that maximum quantity should be adjusted and set at
3,85 million hectolitres.

According to information received from the French
authorities, the distillation contracts concluded between
producers and distillers from 1 March to 29 March 2002
cover a total volume of 2,349 million hectolitres. France
therefore requests the opening of a new period for con-
cluding contracts for a volume of 1,501 million hectoli-
tres to dispose of the surplus stocks which continue to
the next harvest
severely depress
approaches.

the market

as

The level of crisis distillation contracts concluded in
France in March has not produced the full desired results
because it was also possible to sell wine to merchants,
although in some cases at prices lower than those paid
for distillation, but on favourable take-over and payment
terms. These terms have led producers facing cash-flow
difficulties to conclude sales contracts to the detriment
of deliveries of wine for crisis distillation. At present
merchants have probably largely covered their require-
ments for the year and thus no further major selling of
wine is likely. Also, the outlook for the next harvest does
not suggest that production is likely to fall significantly.

(5)

In addition, updated market data confirm the need to
withdraw approximately 3,85 million hectolitres in order
to reduce stocks of table wine to an acceptable level in
anticipation of the next harvest. Wine prices have not in-

(1) OJ L 179, 14.7.1999, p. 1.
(2) OJ L 345, 29.12.2001, p. 10.
(3) OJ L 55, 26.2.2002, p. 14.

(6)

(7)

creased, except temporarily in March when crisis distilla-
tion was opened. Since then they have fallen again. The
stocks still held by producers must therefore be disposed
of as quickly as possible.

In conclusion, the conditions for selling wine when crisis
distillation was opened last March prevented that mea-
sure from having its full effect. Producers were able to
find buyers for their wine on interesting payment and
delivery terms, even at low prices. These effects no long-
er exist, and the only decisive factor is now quantity.
Producers must therefore eliminate their surplus stocks
before the next harvest while there are few opportunities
for selling them on the market.

It is therefore proposed that the possibility of concluding
crisis distillation contracts be reopened for a period of
approximately three months. As a result, it is necessary
to alter the various dates in the Regulation for the ap-
proval of contracts, notification to the Commission of
the quantities of wine covered by contracts and delivery
of the wine to the distilleries.

(8)

The measures provided for in this Regulation are in
accordance with the opinion of
the Management
Committee for Wine,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

Regulation (EC) No 347/2002 is amended as follows:

1. In Article 1, the maximum quantity of 4 million hectolitres

is replaced by 3,85 million hectolitres.

2. Article 3 is replaced by the following:

‘Article 3

Producers may conclude contracts as provided for in Article
65 of Regulation (EC) No 1623/2000 from 1 to 29 March
2002 and from 24 June to 30 September 2002. Contracts
shall be accompanied by proof that a security equal to
EUR 5 per hectolitre has been lodged. Contracts may not be
transferred.’

22.6.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

L 164/23

3. Article 4(2) is replaced by the following:

‘2.
The Member State shall take the administrative steps
necessary to approve the above contracts by 6 May 2002 at
the latest in the case of contracts concluded in the period 1
to 29 March 2002 and by 10 October 2002 at the latest in
the case of contracts concluded from 24 June to 30 Septem-
ber 2002, shall specify the rate of reduction applied and the
quantity of wine accepted per contract and shall stipulate
that the producer may cancel the contract where the quan-
tity to be distilled is reduced. The Member State shall notify
the Commission before 20 May 2002 or before 20 October
2002 respectively of the quantities of such wine covered by
approved contracts.’

4. Article 4(3) is replaced by the following:

July 2002 at the latest and the alcohol obtained must be de-
livered to the intervention agency by 31 December 2002 at
the latest.

In the case of contracts concluded from 24 June to 30 Sep-
tember 2002, the wine must be delivered to the distilleries
by 30 November 2002 at the latest and the alcohol obtained
must be delivered to the intervention agency by 31 January
2003 at the latest.’

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on the day following its
publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities.

‘3.
In the case of contracts concluded from 1 to 29 March
2002, the wine must be delivered to the distilleries by 31

It shall apply from 24 June 2002.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels, 21 June 2002.

For the Commission

Franz FISCHLER

Member of the Commission