To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reason British wine producers are restricted by EU rules in selling lower alcohol wines in the UK; and if he will make a statement.
Naturally lower alcohol wines can be produced and sold in the United Kingdom. Council Regulation 1493/1999 does not allow the reduction of alcohol in a wine. There is, however, provision in the regulations to allow experimental winemaking practices but any wines produced can only be sold in the member state of production.
The enforcement for wine sector regulations in the UK is carried out by the Food Standards Agency. The agency favours a more liberal regime, recognising the potential benefits to consumers of using alcohol reduction processes. However this would require an amendment to European Commission regulations which currently make this practice illegal, on the grounds that this would mislead consumers and there would be potential for confusion with mainstream wines.
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