Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

[**Avis juridique important**](../../../editorial/legal_notice.htm)

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# 91997E2772

**WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2772/97 by Encarnación REDONDO JIMÉNEZ to the Commission. Protecting appellations of origin for European wines** 
  
*Official Journal C 117 , 16/04/1998 P. 0063*

  

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2772/97 by Encarnación Redondo Jiménez (PPE) to the Commission (1 September 1997)

Subject: Protecting appellations of origin for European wines

There have been various reports in the media that the United States is drawing up legislation to continue using the appellations of origin of EU wines for wines produced in the US, in order to protect the interests of US winegrowers.

If this proves to be the case, what steps would the Commission take to safeguard the interests of European winegrowers, for whom such legislation would obviously be damaging?

Answer given by Mr. Fischler on behalf of the Commission (20 October 1997)

The Honourable Member refers to an amendment to the 1997 Revenue Reconciliation Act introduced in Congress by Mr d'Amato and subsequently adopted, which codifies certain terms used for many years in conformity with United States legislation in the labelling of wines. These terms are names of European origin, such as Champagne, Moselle, port and sherry, used in the United States for American and imported wines. The list of terms in the amendment is in fact identical to that figuring in the technical rules in force ((See Title 27 FR Ch. 1¶4.24 (b)(2) of the BATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Products and Firearms) Code of American Federal Regulations. )).

The Commission is at present carrying out a legal analysis of the amendment to check its compatibility with the World Trade Organization's Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights.

The Commission would remind the Honourable Member of its reply to written question E-2485/97 by Mr Barros Moura ((OJ C 82, 17.3.1998. )) on protection of Community designations of origin. One of the main objectives pursued in the wine sector is to defend, both in the Community and internationally, the protection afforded by the Community designations of origin and geographical indications. Negotiations are in progress between the Commission and the United States on improved protection of Community names on the American market, in particular on termination of any use of the terms covered by the amendment in question.

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