Συγκεκριμένα, όπως αναφέρει στην επιστολή του ο νέος κανονισμός Κομισιόν [COM (2016) 750 final 2016/0392 (COD)] κινείται σε λάθος κατεύθυνση για τους εξής λόγους
Ακολουθεί αναλυτικά (στα αγγλικά) η επιστολή Χαρακόπουλου στο Γιούνκερ για τσίπουρο και ούζο:
Athens, July 24 201
T
PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSIO
Mr. Jean Claude JUNCKE
(president.juncker@ec.europa.eu
Dear Mr. President
Geographical indications (GIs) belong to Europe’s intangible cultural heritage; therefore, so far, the European Union has taken care to protect Geographical Indication Products, manufactured under precise specifications and quality standards, while also associated to each place’s tradition
As representing in the Hellenic Parliament an area producing local spirits of an excellent quality, such as Tsipouro of Tyrnavos and ouzo, I wish to hereby express to you my personal concerns, together with those of Greek producers over the draft new regulation on spirit drinks. Unfortunately, the proposal on the definition, presentation and labelling of spirit drinks, the use of the names of spirit drinks in the presentation and labelling of other foodstuffs and the protection of geographical indications for spirit drinks [COM (2016) 750 final 2016/0392 (COD)] seems to be oriented towards a negative direction, thus creating conditions for undermining the policy followed so far
Given that we all agree on the need for defending European values, but also for strengthening production processes that are beneficial both for local economies and the European consumer, moreover undergoing a harsh period- as far as Greece is concerned for the seventh consecutive year-,I am certain that you can fully understand our concerns. The European institutions simply must not open a backdoor that shall undermine popular products’ flagship denomination, moreover driving a healthy productive sector to economic catastrophe
Confident for your understanding, I look forward to your response
Sincerely
MP Maximos Charakopoulo
Former Deputy Minister of Rural Development and Foo
To:
Mr. Jean Claude JUNCKER
PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSIO
Rue de la Loi / Wetstraat 20
1049 Brussel
Belgium
- Ανοίγει το δρόμο για την ελεύθερη εμφιάλωση σε περιοχές ή χώρες εκτός των γεωγραφικών ορίων των γεωγραφικών ενδείξεων των αλκοολούχων ποτών. Σημειώνει, επίσης , ότι στην «Ελλάδα, έχουμε ήδη μια παρόμοια πικρή εμπειρία με το ελαιόλαδο, το οποίο, παραδόξως, συνεχίζει να εξάγεται χύμα σε άλλη χώρα (Ιταλία), για συσκευασία και μεταπώληση».
- Δίνει στην Κομισιόν την αρμοδιότητα λήψη αποφάσεων ακόμη και για να ακυρώσει την προστασία των γεωγραφικών ενδείξεων που αναφέρεται στον προηγούμενο κανονισμό (ΕΕ) αριθ. 110/2008. Αυτό σημαίνει ότι ενδεχομένως ελληνικά αλκοολούχα ποτά γεωγραφικών ενδείξεων θα στερηθούν το καθεστώς προστατευόμενης ένδειξης που είχαν μέχρι στιγμής.
- Επιφέρει πρόσθετη διοικητική επιβάρυνση και γραφειοκρατία για τους παραγωγούς και τις επιχειρήσεις αλκοολούχων ποτών γεωγραφικών ενδείξεων, καθώς και αφόρητη οικονομική επιβάρυνση. Αυτό, με τη σειρά του, θα έχει σοβαρό αντίκτυπο στον συγκεκριμένο τομέα, καθώς στη χώρα μας τουλάχιστον το 65% αποτελείται από μικρές οικογενειακές επιχειρήσεις.
Ακολουθεί αναλυτικά (στα αγγλικά) η επιστολή Χαρακόπουλου στο Γιούνκερ για τσίπουρο και ούζο:
Athens, July 24 201
T
PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSIO
Mr. Jean Claude JUNCKE
(president.juncker@ec.europa.eu
Dear Mr. President
Geographical indications (GIs) belong to Europe’s intangible cultural heritage; therefore, so far, the European Union has taken care to protect Geographical Indication Products, manufactured under precise specifications and quality standards, while also associated to each place’s tradition
As representing in the Hellenic Parliament an area producing local spirits of an excellent quality, such as Tsipouro of Tyrnavos and ouzo, I wish to hereby express to you my personal concerns, together with those of Greek producers over the draft new regulation on spirit drinks. Unfortunately, the proposal on the definition, presentation and labelling of spirit drinks, the use of the names of spirit drinks in the presentation and labelling of other foodstuffs and the protection of geographical indications for spirit drinks [COM (2016) 750 final 2016/0392 (COD)] seems to be oriented towards a negative direction, thus creating conditions for undermining the policy followed so far
- It opens up a “window” for the free bottling-packaging in areas or countries outside the geographical limits of spirit drinks’ geographical indications. Thus, producing areas or countries are deprived of the added value, while the very concept of labelling GI products is contravened. At the same time, there is a serious hazard of downgrading or even adulteration of a product carried in bulk for packaging in another country or area. In Greece, we already have a similar bitter experience with olive oil, which, oddly enough, continues to be exported in bulk to another country (Italy), for packaging and resale.
- It delegates to the European Commission the decisional authority to even cancel the protection of geographical indications referred to in the previous Regulation (EU) No 110/2008 and transferred to the one under consideration. This means that possibly Greek GI spirit drinks shall be deprived of the protection enjoyed so far. What is more, recent experience from agreements with third countries, such as the one with Canada (CETA) gives grounds for additional concerns regarding derogations from existing standards.
- It shall bring about additional administrative burden and bureaucracy for GI spirit drinks’ producers and businesses, together with unbearable financial burden. This, in turn, shall cause a heavy impact on the specific sector, as, in our country, at least a 65% consists of small family businesses. Therefore, the new regulation must be thoroughly reviewed so as to reduce both bureaucratic delays and financial burdens.
Given that we all agree on the need for defending European values, but also for strengthening production processes that are beneficial both for local economies and the European consumer, moreover undergoing a harsh period- as far as Greece is concerned for the seventh consecutive year-,I am certain that you can fully understand our concerns. The European institutions simply must not open a backdoor that shall undermine popular products’ flagship denomination, moreover driving a healthy productive sector to economic catastrophe
Confident for your understanding, I look forward to your response
Sincerely
MP Maximos Charakopoulo
Former Deputy Minister of Rural Development and Foo
To:
Mr. Jean Claude JUNCKER
PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSIO
Rue de la Loi / Wetstraat 20
1049 Brussel
Belgium