European Parliament
2014-2019
0120/2016
21.11.2016
WRITTEN DECLARATION
submitted under Rule 136 of the Rules of Procedure
on combating counterfeiting in the wine and spirits industry
Edouard Ferrand (ENF), Philippe Loiseau (ENF), Mara Bizzotto (ENF),
Angelo Ciocca (ENF), Lorenzo Fontana (ENF), Louis Aliot (ENF),
Mireille D’Ornano (ENF), Matteo Salvini (ENF), Salvatore Cicu (PPE),
Nicolas Bay (ENF), Remo Sernagiotto (ECR)
Lapse date: 21.2.2017
DC\1109003EN.docx
EN
PE594.662v01-00
EN
0120/2016
Written declaration, under Rule 136 of Parliament’s Rules of Procedure, on combating
counterfeiting in the wine and spirits industry1
1. The production and marketing of wine and spirits is an important economic sector in
many Member States, particularly France and Italy.
2. According to the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), European
companies lose EUR 1.3 billion each year in the wine and spirits sector as a result of the
counterfeit market. That corresponds to a loss of EUR 136 million in France and EUR 162
million in Italy.
3. The counterfeit market for wine and spirits has repercussions on European employment,
with an estimated loss of 4 800 direct jobs and 18 500 indirect jobs.
4. The majority of companies active in the wine and spirits sector are SMEs. They play a
fundamental role in defending the local identity of European wines by ensuring
sustainable, high-quality production while still respecting local traditions.
5. The Commission and the Council are therefore asked to work with Member States to
combat the counterfeit market in the wine and spirits sector, in order to support SMEs and
employment in these sectors, which is fundamental to the French and Italian economies
and to those of other Member States.
6. This declaration, together with the names of the signatories, is forwarded to the Council
and the Commission.
1
Under Rule 136(4) and (5) of Parliament’s Rules of Procedure, where a declaration is signed by a majority of
Parliament’s component Members, it is published in the minutes with the names of its signatories and forwarded
to the addressees, without however binding Parliament.
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