IN BREVE
- Tomorrow, at the European Parliament, vinegar will be discussed as a symbol of Made in Italy and the need for harmonized legislation at the European level.
- The Consortium for the Protection of Balsamic Vinegar of Modena will present the short film “Modena Balsamic Genius” during the event.
- Representatives from the European Vinegar Association and proponents of a proposal for common vinegar regulations will participate in the debate.
- Currently, only wine vinegar has a harmonized definition, while other types follow different national regulations.
- The goal is to create a coherent legislative framework to ensure greater transparency and reduce unfair competition in the single market sector.
Tomorrow in Brussels, at the European Parliament, vinegar will take center stage in the EU debate. At a meeting hosted by MEP Stefano Bonaccini, the product is being addressed not only as a symbol of Made in Italy, but as a regulatory topic still lacking harmonized legislation at the European level. The event brings together institutions, industry representatives, and proponents of a possible EU legislative initiative.
During the event, the Consortium for the Protection of Balsamic Vinegar of Modena will present the international premiere of “Modena Balsamic Genius“, a short film produced with support from Masaf. The project is part of communication activities dedicated to foreign markets, where Balsamic Vinegar of Modena is recording growing volumes and value, especially in non-EU countries.
THE REGULATORY CHALLENGE FOR VINEGARS
The heart of the meeting, however, remains the discussion on European vinegar regulations. The debate will feature Valéry Brabant, president of the European Vinegar Association (EVA), a recently established organization that brings together producer associations from various member states, including Federvini for Italy, and French MEP Céline Imart. The latter is co-sponsor, together with Bonaccini, of a legislative initiative aimed at introducing a common regulatory framework for the sector.
Currently, EU law provides a harmonized definition only for wine vinegar. All other types, made from apples, rice, dates, beer, or other raw materials, are governed by different national regulations. As early as 2000, member states had agreed on some common guidelines for production and labeling, which however remained non-binding.
This situation has created a fragmented landscape. The increase in international trade and growing consumption have accentuated competitive distortions between countries and fueled consumer confusion, with repercussions on information transparency and the actual content of products placed on the market.
TOWARDS A UNIFIED EUROPEAN DEFINITION
On the table is now a possible amendment to Regulation (EU) 1308/2013 on the common organization of the markets in agricultural products. The intervention would include, for the first time, specific rules on the definition and production of vinegars. The proposal was put forward by Bonaccini and is now being championed by Imart in the context of European trilogues, with explicit support from Italy and France.
The stated objective is the creation of a coherent and transparent legislative framework. A system capable of reducing unfair competition, preventing food fraud, and ensuring more effective protection of consumer interests within the single market.
