Wine Fuhrers On The Way

The Labour Government is trying to regulate the success of the wine industry, ACT New Zealand Rural Affairs Spokesman Gerry Eckhoff said today.

"The Wine Bill has been split to allow EU regulations to be passed before Christmas, and it met with agreement from all players in the industry. However, the Bill's main body seeks to impose significant compliance costs on the industry that must compete on the international market," said Mr Eckhoff.

"The Government seems unable to grasp that the industry has grown to $260 million without `wine fuhrer' searching premises for data that the wineries must comply with. These fuhrers will have the power to enter, search and seize - as well as stop - production. Wine standards management plans must be advised, as well as identification and analysis of hazards inherent in wine and winemaking. One can only marvel at how New Zealand's wine industry has reached international acclaim without bureaucracy wrapping it in red tape, as it is now intending to do.

Independent evaluation of each wine standards management plan will then be evaluated by those who have never made wine, but who will now ensure the wine is fit for its intended purpose.

Those plans must be updated on an ongoing basis. Yet again, business in New Zealand will be regulated out of business under this Government.

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