§ Mr. Deakinsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what limits exist on European Economic Community wine production; and what changes are anticipated to prepare the wine market for the admission of Spain and Portugal.
§ Mrs. FennerSince 1980 there has been a Community ban on new planting of vineyards producing non-quality wine. In addition, provision exists for the compulsory disillation of surplus wine.
These arrangements have failed to balance supply and demand and the Commission has recently proposed further measures, which are still under discussion, both to reduce substantially the area under vines and to deter over-production. If adopted they would apply to Spain and Portugal after accession but the Commission has also proposed specific programmes to reduce the area under vines in those countries.