German Winegrowers Association supports planting ban

Published: 19 January, 2011

The German Winegrowers Association, supports plans to extend the German planting ban on new vineyards beyond 2015.

The German Federal Department for Nutrition, Agriculture and Consumer Protection is said to be talking of extending the current ban in order to prevent surplus production and to support small businesses in the economic downturn.

President of GWA, Norbert Weber, said abandoning the existing vine cultivation rules would result in a shift of production towards areas that are easier to cultivate, but would be contrary to the efforts of improving wine quality and regional typicity and preservation of established vineyards that are well-known internationally.

He added: "This would be to the detriment of the traditional vineyards and associated cultural and recreational areas, which would lose value; this would be worrying for the local economies as they are important economic resources in otherwise, rather economically poor locations. Losing their attraction would also be associated with a loss of identity for many wine growing regions."

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