CEEV Manifesto: 6 Strategic Priorities for the Future of Wine

The challenges facing the industry are clear:

• the decline in wine consumption in the EU,
• an uncertain global market,
• changes in consumption habits that lead to oversupply,
• threats to health policy (demonization of wine),
• an increase in extreme weather events,
• the increase in production and distribution costs,
• a complex bureaucratic regulatory framework.

Mauricio González-Gordon, President of CEEV, underlined the importance of the wine sector for European society: “The EU wine sector brings significant benefits to our society, so it is our heritage, our rural areas, and their economy that are at risk.”

With 3 million direct jobs, a positive fiscal impact of €52 billion, and a market value exceeding €100 billion, the wine sector remains a cornerstone of the European economy, particularly in rural areas where it plays a crucial role in combating depopulation. However, despite its economic importance, climate, regulatory, and social challenges pose significant obstacles to the sector's sustainability and jeopardize its future.

In response to these pressing issues, CEEV has identified 6 strategic priorities aimed at promoting resilience, innovation and sustainable growth:

• Strengthening a market-oriented Common Agricultural Policy (CAP): The CAP must enhance competitiveness and reduce administrative complexity;
• Reconciling tradition and innovation in EU legislation: adapting wine products to new consumer expectations, demands, and trends while preserving wine culture;
• Supporting climate resilience and the green transition: defining the principles of sustainable wine production, prioritizing mitigation measures, and recognizing ecosystem services;
• Strengthening the EU single market and reducing marketing costs: fully harmonizing regulations, promoting digitalisation and facilitating e-commerce for wineries;
• Maintain an ambitious EU trade strategy: Pursue an assertive trade strategy to expand market access, address trade barriers, and protect wine products from unrelated trade disputes;
• Adopt a coordinated, pragmatic and science-based EU health policy: Differentiate between moderate wine consumption and alcohol abuse and promote constructive dialogue.

Ignacio Sánchez Recarte, Secretary General of the CEEV, said: “We need a coherent approach to wine in the political arena to update laws and defend our wine culture from unfair attacks. Only in this way can we ensure the enduring strength of the EU wine sector and continue to offer unparalleled diversity, heritage, and excellence in every bottle.”

The CEEV also calls, through its "Manifesto," for greater influence by the agriculture and wine sectors in Brussels' policies. This implies greater relevance and influence with the Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development (DG AGRI) and the European Parliament's Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (ComAGRI) in decisions affecting agriculture. Furthermore, it proposes establishing a working group on wine that would act as a "privileged interlocutor with the European Commission and the European Council." In short, the wine sector should have more direct contact with EU decision-making bodies.

The CEEV Manifesto represents an important step towards addressing the challenges facing the EU wine sector. Only through an integrated and coherent approach can the long-term sustainability of a sector that is the beating heart of Europe's rural areas and an essential part of the EU's cultural heritage be ensured.