EU welcomes vodka vote compromise

The outcome of a decisive EU parliamentary vote on a definition of vodka could eventually end the uncertainty in the beverage sector about a controversial labelling issue.

Parliament yesterday voted 522 to 128 in favour of the compromise
proposals, which would allow companies to produce vodka derived from raw
materials other than potatoes or cereals to keep the name as long as
these ingredients were listed on the label.
Under the proposed law EU vodka producers can continue to manufacture
their products as long as they follow the new labelling rules. The
industry was concerned than any new EU law would mean restrictions on how some
of their current products could sold as vodka.
The talks have long divided manufacturers in the bloc over just what
ingredients should be allowed in vodka.
Poland, along with Sweden, Finland, Germany and the Baltic
states claim that true vodka can only be made from potatoes or
cereals.
This stance is opposed by producers in countries like the UK, Ireland and
Hungary, which say fruit and other ingredients can be added during vodka distillation
without changing the taste.