To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their policy on buying and promoting English wine.

The high quality of English and Welsh still and sparkling wine means that demand for our wine regularly outstrips supply. Although promotion can be supported under the EU wine programme, the industry does not consider this to be a priority at this stage. Instead, EU support has been channelled via the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE), which currently provides a bespoke training programme for the sector (Wineskills). It includes advice on aspects of promotion such as brand building and marketing.

We have recently secured places for two wine producers to represent the UK on an EU Speciality Food Trade Mission to Japan and South Korea in November. Our wine producers are already starting to exploit both markets and our attendance on this mission will help to boost our trade links further with this region.

Government Hospitality, within the Protocol Directorate of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, is responsible for the management of the Government wine cellar and has supported the UK wine industry for over 20 years through regularly buying and using UK wines.