Question for written answer E-010983-15
to the Commission
Rule 130
Massimiliano Salini (PPE) , Herbert Dorfmann (PPE) , Alberto Cirio (PPE)

The basic regulations for the CAP Reform 2014‐2020 were published on 20 December 2013. Included among the above was Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 establishing a common organisation of the markets in agricultural products, and into which the procedure for awarding protected designations of origin (PDOs) and protected geographical indications (PGIs) for wine was incorporated (formerly wine CMO 2008).

The above procedure is an essential tool for promoting characteristics unique to the industry, tradition, and the socio‐economic and cultural significance of these goods in major European wine^‐producing countries.

The European Commission’s role is now one of active and direct involvement, thanks to current legislation; however, the increased responsibilities taken on by EC services — in particular the Quality Unit in DG AGRI — have not been supported by the recruitment of additional staff in the above offices. As rightly pointed out by trade associations active in the winemaking sector, that situation has now caused a huge increase in the length of response times — in some cases as much as two years.

How does the Commission intend to put an end to these delays that are causing serious harm to the European winemaking industry? What measures will be adopted to rectify the most pressing problems?