The Common Agricultural Policy (Wine) (England and Northern Ireland) (Amendment) Regulations 2005

Explanatory Note

(This Note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations further amend the Common Agricultural Policy (Wine) (England and Northern Ireland) Regulations 2001 (“the 2001 Regulations”), which provide for the enforcement in England and Northern Ireland of European Community Regulations concerned with the production and marketing of wine and related products.

These Regulations—

(a) update the definition of “the Commissioners” in regulation 2(1) of the 2001 Regulations following the vesting of functions previously exercisable by the Commissioners of Customs and Excise in the Commissioners for Revenue and Customs (regulation 2(2));

(b) update references to European Community legislation by making changes to the definitions in the 2001 Regulations (regulation 2(3) and (4)), substituting a new Schedule 1 to the 2001 Regulations (regulation 2(5) and Schedule 1) and updating Parts III and Part V of Schedule 2 to the 2001 Regulations (regulation 2(6)(a) and (b) and Schedule 2);

(c) correct an error in item 15 of the table set out in Part V of Schedule 2 to the 2001 Regulations (regulation 2(6)(c));

(d) add Gamay and Gewurztraminer to the list of vine varieties that may be used in the production of wines in England and Northern Ireland (regulation 2(7)); and

(e) make changes to the geographical indications that may be used for the designation of regional wines by substituting a new Schedule 7 to the 2001 Regulations which adds Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Cheshire, Derbyshire, Lancashire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Rutland, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands and Wiltshire to the list of names of geographical units that may be used to describe regional wines produced in those units (regulation 2(8) and Schedule 3).

A full regulatory impact assessment has not been prepared for this instrument as it has no impact on the cost of business.