Ukraine's parliament passes law implementing EU standards in viticulture, winemaking

MOSCOW. Aug 22 (Interfax) - Ukraine's parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, has passed in the final reading a law to support developing viticulture and winemaking domestically, Ukrainian media reported, citing Acting Agrarian Policy and Food Minister Taras Vysotsky.

Vysotsky posted on social media that 311 deputies voted in favor of the law. [A minimum of 226 votes is required.]

The goal of the law "On Grapes and Viticulture Products" is to implement the relevant European Union regulations regarding viticulture and winemaking, oenological practices, production of wine-infused products, and usage and protection of geographical indications of wine. The government registered the bill of the law in the Verkhovna Rada on March 22

"Moreover, the bill is intended to establish a unified government information system, the Viticulture and Winemaking Registry. The registry includes information on grape producers; wine products; vineyards; and mandatory declarations and other data on wine products enshrined in the law, whose information must be entered, thereby ensuring efficient administration and government support for the viticulture and winemaking industry," according to the explanatory note to the bill.

The document proposes implementing requirements for production and distribution of wine, viticulture and winemaking products, and wine-infused products with geographical indications similar to the rules in EU countries. Specifically, blending wine produced in Ukraine with imported wine, as well as blending wine produced outside of Ukraine, is not permitted.

The document envisages the possibility of the government supporting viticulture and winemaking, and it contains principles for conducting inspections of wine production from the grapevine to the final product, as well as defines the oversight institutions and their authority, according to the explanatory note.