The government helps the grape and wine sector with more favorable waste management fees

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The head of the ministry reminded that Hungary introduced the extended producer responsibility system according to Brussels regulations, in which producers must pay a fee to reimburse the costs related to the waste management of their products. As a result of the consultation with winemakers, the government decided that, in view of the wine market situation, the level of the fee payable for wine bottles will remain the same as the previous product fee. He emphasized that Hungarian viticulture and winemaking is one of the priority sectors of agriculture, and wine is an integral part of Hungarian national identity, which is why we are committed to helping the players in the sector. István Nagy also touched on the fact that the Hungarian wine industry must compete more and more strongly for consumers on the market of alcoholic products and also on foreign markets, with their counterparts in the large European wine-producing countries. In order to facilitate successful standing in this fierce struggle, the government accepted the point that they should not be burdened with a greater burden than their competitors in terms of environmental protection fees. In addition to the winemakers, the decision also concerns the approximately 25,000 grape growers, whose income depends heavily on the performance and market position of the Hungarian winemakers on the domestic and export markets, he explained.

The goal is recyclable and less waste

István Nagy pointed out that the EU system of extended producer responsibility generally encourages manufacturers to create less waste, to use more recycled products and packaging materials, and to use environmentally friendly materials. pay to reimburse the costs related to the waste management of their products. The minister stated that the Hungarian government regards the grape and wine sector as a priority sector. In the past decade, significant resources were used to renew Hungarian plantation areas, technological modernization of wineries, and significant resources were allocated to the promotion of Hungarian wine. By keeping the amount to be paid for wine bottles on the basis of extended producer responsibility the same as the previous product fee, the sector will receive substantial help to succeed in the market competition and to establish fair purchase prices for grapes that take into account the increased cultivation costs of grape growers – underlined the head of the agricultural ministry.

AM