Info on alcohol abuse is OK but wine mustn't be stigmatized says minister

(ANSA) - ROME, JAN 30 - Health information on the dangers of alcohol abuse is OK on proposed new Irish labels for bottles of wine, beer and spirit but there should be no stigma attached to wine drinking, which is healthy in moderation, Farm and Food Sovereignty Minister Francesco Lollobrigida said after a meeting with Irish counterpart Charlie McConalogue on the sidelines of an EU farm ministers' gathering Monday.
    Italy has protested against the proposed cigarette-like labelling and has said it will ask the EU to put the matter to the World Trade Organization if necessary.
    Italian wine producers, who fear exports being hit by the labelling especially if other EU countries follow suit, have said they will make common cause with their counterparts in France and Spain and other leading wine making countries.
    Lollobrigida, who has also announced action with Helath Minister Orazio Schillaci, said Monday that Rome was in the process of drafting a joint document with Paris and Madrid.
    Lollobrigida, who is the grand-nephew of late screen diva Gina Lollobrigida, said after his talks with McConalogue that "we were able to explain our arguments on what must be a correct system of information that explains that excessive use of alcohol, like excessive use of anything else, causes damage but they must not become a stigma for products which when consumed in moderation may in fact be factors of wellbeing, and that is what wine is for us".
    Lollobrigida said that Italian food and wine exports amounted to an annual 60 billion euros and said he supported wine producers in their anxiety over the proposed Irish labels and the possibility they may spread.
    League party MP Mirco Carloni said after meeting wine producers Monday that the League would "defend the sector in all fora".
    (ANSA).