Malta is backing a European Commission proposal for reform in the wine sector, believing that it would eventually lead to strengthening the European wine sector. The proposal aims for high production quality that would ban the use of industrial processes such as chaptalisation (adding sugar) for the production of quality wines.

Rural Affairs and Environment Minister George Pullicino told a meeting of the council of agriculture ministers in Brussels that the proposal would also be beneficial to consumers, which would lead to a firm base for the

sector.

He said efforts were in hand in Malta to improve the quality of Maltese wines. Malta accepted the commission’s proposal, which would reform the way of allocating funds for the sector. It would lead to quality levels in European production, as demanded by consumers, and ensure competitiveness for European products. Criteria about allocating funds for the sector should be more flexible, Mr Pullicino said.