Chairperson, Minister, hon members, this afternoon I will share with the House some of the deliberations that the Select Committee on Land and Environmental Affairs had on the Agreement on Requirements for Wine Labelling of the World Wine Trade Group, WWTG, and the Agreement on Mutual Acceptance of Oenological Practices by the World Wine Trade Group, WWTG, which were sent via the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. The World Wine Trade Group is an informal group of wine-producing countries entrusted with facilitating trade in wine. This is done by reducing barriers in the wine trade, whilst sharing information and collaborating on aspects relating to the trade and production of wine among the member countries.
The countries that are signatories to the Agreement on Mutual Acceptance of Oenological Practices and the Agreement on Requirements for Wine Labelling are responsible for exchanging laws and regulations related to wine-making practices and wine labelling amongst themselves to ensure free and fair trade internationally. At the national level, the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries had to amend some legislation in order for us to be compliant with international agreements.
As a signatory, South Africa will benefit greatly. By signing these agreements South Africa will benefit by reducing costs related to documentation and will no longer have to provide a certificate with each consignment of wine exported, which has been a major constraint in ensuring that our wines are accessible. These agreements will further ensure that wine labelling will be simplified and costs will be drastically reduced in the wine industry.
Therefore, the Select Committee on Land and Environmental Affairs, having considered the request for approval by Parliament of the Agreement on Requirements for Wine Labelling of the World Wine Trade Group and the Agreement on Mutual Acceptance of Oenological Practices by the World Wine Trade Group referred to it, recommends that the National Council of Provinces in terms of section 231(2) of the Constitution approves the said agreements. Thank you, Chair.
Debate concluded.
Question put: That the Report on the Agreement on Mutual Acceptance of oenological Practices by the World Wine Trade Group be adopted.
IN FAVOUR: Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape, North West, Western Cape.
Report on the Agreement on Mutual Acceptance of Oenological Practices by the World Wine Trade Group accordingly adopted in accordance with section 65 of the Constitution.
Question put: That the Report on the Agreement on Requirements for Wine Labelling of the World Wine Trade Group be adopted.
IN FAVOUR: Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape, North West, Western Cape.
Report on the Agreement on Requirements for Wine Labelling of the World Wine Trade Group accordingly adopted in accordance with section 65 of the Constitution.