23 March 2020, Brussels and London – Seven weeks after the UK has left the European Union, CEEV and its UK member association WSTA, the Wine & Spirit Trade Association, issue a common position on the priorities of the wine companies for the future EU-UK association agreement.
With the UK being the world’s second largest importer of wine in both volume and value as well as a significant market for EU wines representing €2.8 billion each year (25% of EU wine exports), it is crucial for the EU wine sector to avoid disruption in the wine trade flow between both sides of the Channel.
The CEEV-WSTA common position covers 6 key aspects that should be addressed in order to ensure a smooth trade environment:
- Zero tariffs on wine and aromatized wine products;
- Alignment of wine regulations, through a specific Wine Annex and a bilateral Wine Committee;
- Paperless trade and simplified import/circulation procedures;
- Protection of Geographical Indications and trademarks;
- Clear functioning of the Ireland and Northern Ireland border;
- Provisions for governance arrangements.
The importance of transitional measures to be implemented after the end of the transition period is also underlined as a sine qua non condition to avoid any disruption in the wine trade flow.
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Note to editors
Comité Européen des Entreprises Vins – CEEV was founded in 1960 and represents the European Union wine companies in the industry and trade (still wines, aromatised wines, sparkling wines, liqueur wines and other vine products). It brings together 23 national organisations from 12 EU Member States, plus Switzerland and Ukraine, as well as a consortium of 4 leading European wine companies. The companies represented by CEEV, mainly small and medium sized companies, produce and market most quality European wines, both with and without a geographical indication, and account for over 90% of European wine exports.
The Wine and Spirit Trade Association – WSTA represents over 300 companies producing, importing, exporting, transporting and selling wines and spirits in the United Kingdom. WSTA members range from major retailers, brand owners and wholesalers to fine wine and spirit specialists, logistics and bottling companies.
Press Contacts
For any question, please contact:
- Ignacio Sánchez Recarte, CEEV Secretary General: isanchez@ceev.eu, +32 (0)476 88 36 75
- Lucy Panton, WSTA Director of Communication: lucy@wsta.co.uk, +44 (0)20 7089 3875
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