THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS APPROVED THE REFORM OF LAW 164/92! MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE LUCA ZAIA SAYS, “IT’S A HISTORICAL MEASURE THAT MARKS AN IMPORTANT STEP IN CONSOLIDATING THE DEVELOPMENT OF ONE OF THE MAJOR INDUSTRIES IN ITALY “

“The approval of the new Legislative Decree for the Protection of DO and GI wines, has renewed the wine industry framework after 18 years. It is a historical decision which marks an important step in consolidating the development of one of the major agro-food industries in Italy”. The Minister of Agriculture Luca Zaia comments the approval, in the Council of Ministers today, of the Legislative Decree Reform of the Law 164/1992, the new organic standard-setting instrument on the protection of designations of origin and geographical indications for wines.

“The decree of the Law Reform 164,” Zaia says, “puts the emphasis on the quality of wines, consumer protection and strengthening profits of the enterprises, including improving the system of controls and adapting the rules to the reform of the Common Organization of the Wine Market. Above all, it emphasizes the renewed demands of operators in the wine industry who are called upon to face new market challenges. The reform is the result of a strongly shared effort with the regions and autonomous provinces, with representatives at various levels of the industry and all stakeholders. I want to thank the House and Senate Agriculture Committees who, with the wording of their opinions, have improved the final content of the decree”.

The main contents of the legislative decree, according to a statement from the Ministry, relate to: the introduction of tools to simplify administration for the various procedural burdens of wine producers and the promotion of a high level of quality and recognition of the wines with designation of origin and geographical indications; transparency and the protection of consumers and businesses with regard to forgery, theft and imitation, and the redefinition of the role of the National Committee for the protection and enhancement of protected designations of origin and geographical indications for typical wines; reviewing the system of controls and sanctions, based on criteria of effectiveness and actual applicability.