The Assembly Gemeral of the VSF confirms the good health of exports and the canal feeding in the internal market

The Spanish wine Federation held on March 24, the General Assembly in Madrid, under the Presidency of Félix Solís. During the ceremony was presented the activity reports in 2010 and was made a balance of what gave it sector over the past year, both economically and in the legislative. In relation to the economic situation of the sector, the director-general of the Spanish Observatory wine market, Rafael Rey, performed an analysis of sectoral data relating to the year 2010. Them, it is clear from what have been the two major trends that have marked the sector of Spanish wine in the context of economic crisis; at the international level there has been good results in the Spanish sales abroad, at the expense of a reduction in prices; and in the internal market consumption in the feeding channel behaved better than in the canal hotel, but with declines in both, especially in the first half of the year. It was clear that the Spanish wine is in foreign markets, as domestic consumption remains in unstoppable decline, having been reduced by half the consumption in the last 20 years. In terms of balance sheet remained a stability in production with downward trend that generated a slight increase in stocks.

Then Pau rock, Secretary general of the VSF made a review of the key issues that have marked the activity of the sector by the year 2010. On the legislative aspects stressed the good adaptation of the sector to the new com, after two years of implementation and transition, linking it to the revision of the Community agricultural policy in 2013, which should not affect the wine sector to avoid the feeling of continuous reform and consolidate the current legal framework aimed at improving the competitiveness of the sector. He referred also to the activity in the field of international trade, and the follow-up from the APR of negotiations trade and barriers to the export of wine in all markets, and environmental issues, which engaged more and more efforts. Also exhibited all the activities carried out within the framework of the program "Wine in Moderation' dissemination of the message of moderate consumption, with the scientific and educational activity launched with the help of the Foundation for the research of the wine (FIVIN), and the growing presence of the message of moderation in the consumption in the commercial communications of the wineries on the application of the code of self-regulation of the wine.

The Assembly of the VSF continued with the intervention of Jaime Montalvo, director of promotion of the Spanish Institute of foreign trade, on the challenges and future opportunities in the field of foreign promotion for the companies in the sector. Montalvo emphasized the role of the Institute in promoting the image country under the umbrella ' Wines from Spain' and in the essential coordination of promotional activities in the sector abroad at all levels. Also, the Rapporteur noted aspects of the promotion, the channels and the way to sell that companies should also explore and apply, as in packaging innovation, the Internet channel for communication, or aspects of corporate social responsibility, and environmental values and the recommendations of moderate consumptionespecially in actions targeting new younger consumers.

Then, Fernando Chivite, Chairman of the Working Group of environment of the VSF made a reflection on climate change, as it is affecting the sector wine and what role should play companies take awareness and measures for the protection of the climate. All of this, to then present day ' Wineries for Climate Protection' that the Federation will organize the month of June in Barcelona, with the sectoral initiatives for the protection against climate change in the wine sector, in hands of brave SundaySecretary general of the FIVIN and coordinator of the project from the wine Foundation, medium environment and consumer (VIMAC).

The closing event, featured speeches by the President of the Passada, Félix Solís Yáñez and the general director of industries and markets food of the MARM, Isabel Bombal. The President of the VSF stressed the importance of the promotional activity for the improvement of sales and the image of wine, both in foreign markets with aid to enterprises for the promotion in third countries of the WTOas in the internal market at the institutional level of the VSF should focus on the attributes of the product as a food of the Mediterranean diet and with the recommendations of consumption moderated, only way to enjoy the product. In reference to the internal market, and with the negative evolution of consumption, requested the support of the Administration to keep the current taxation of wine. For its part, the General Director of the MARM, after a review of the economic weight of the wine sector in Spain, in particular in external matters which should keep betting, made a very positive measure for promotion in third countriesin the plan of support for the com, which companies are using to 760 programs already in place and more than 80 million euros invested. He announced the next amendment of the Royal Decree governing this measure that includes various improvements that the sector had been demanding and that may apply in the plans submitted in this campaign. He also referred to a new measure of the Plan of support for the sector - the measure of investment - which will also set up in the coming months with a view to the next campaign and which will complement the extent of promotion in third countries, with vocation to continue promoting the internationalisation of the sector. He finally referred to the draft law of agro-food quality. Bombal confirmed that the project is divided into two parts, one on top of food chain concerning contracts, cross-industry, best practices, etc., of imminent processing, and another on differentiated quality, with all regulation of bodies of management, certification and control of geographical indications and designations of originthat will continue to discuss to get a greater consensus between the parties involved prior to deal with.