Vodka war
This article needs to be updated.(November 2010) |
Vodka war refers to heated discussions within the
The countries of the EU "
On 20 February 2006, Poland put a demand to restrict the definition of Vodka within EU, and the move was supported by the vodka belt countries and Germany.[5] This demand was triggered by a 2005 European Commission proposal to split vodka category into several subcategories basing on the flavor and raw materials.
If the "Vodka Belt" prevails, it will significantly influence the global US$12 billion annual vodka market.[3] In particular, some drinks presently marketed as vodka will have to be re-branded.
The issue goes beyond the EU: The United States is the world's fastest-growing vodka producer, and if its non-traditional vodkas are excluded from the EU, it may retaliate in the World Trade Organization.[3]
Opponents of modifying the present definition, which states vodka as "a spirit drink produced from ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin," argue that citing traditions and cultures as justification for imposing a restrictive vodka definition is a tactic to exclude other vodka producers.[6]
Arguments for restricted definition
- Vodka must be clearly defined in the same way as has been done for other hard liquors, such as whiskey, in terms of raw ingredients and manufacturing process.
- A restricted definition protects the quality and the originality of the product, in accord with the long-established traditions of its production, a brand protection similar to the "Protected designation of origin".
Arguments for broad definition
- Traditionalists maintain that each good vodka has its own distinct flavour.
- Threat of trade wars.
- The proposal is seen as an attempt to monopolise the vodka market by the Vodka Belt
- The restriction may hamper innovation, in the opinion of the UK representatives in the European Vodka Alliance.[7]
- The restriction may hamper US exports and lead to retaliation, since the United States is one of the largest vodka importers from the EU (US$500 million)[7]
Schnellhardt compromise
The compromise was adopted by the EU's
On 19 June 2007, The
See also
- Smirnov Trading House, about another "vodka war" of "Smirnov" vs. "Smirnoff", ended in 1997
References
- ^ Europarliamentnews article
- ^ "EU Farm Chief Warns of Legal Action in Vodka Row" Archived 2007-03-10 at the Wayback Machine, a 25 October 2006 Reuters article
- ^ a b c "A spirited war: The search for the real vodka", International Herald Tribune, November 23, 2006
- ^ a b "End in Sight to EU 'Vodka War' as Label Deal Struck" Archived 2007-09-28 at the Wayback Machine, June 16, 2007 source: Reuters
- ^ ""Vodka War", an article published on 6 March 2006, ref. Brusdsels journal
- ^ "Spirited 'vodka war' erupts in Europe". NBC News. 2006-07-28. Retrieved 2024-03-20.
- ^ a b "Vodka war splits EU"
- Europarliamentnews article
- ^ "Wodka War Lost", June 27, 2007, The Warsaw Voice
- ^ "Poland Fights Back in Vodka War", August 8, 2007, The Warsaw Voice