Italy's Minister for Agriculture Paolo De Castro has declared that his ministry will lead the re-launch of Italian wines in the world market, reports the Italian news agency ANSA. The news in New Delhi is that De Castro is planning a trip to India in 2006-end with the specific intention of promoting Italian wines.

Commenting on the European Commission's wine reforms, De Castro said they must "point towards promotion and giving value to Italy's unique patrimony, not penalising it." He emphasised that "the voice and agreement of everyone is necessary" before the reforms pass muster.

The minister has had three bilateral meetings on the reforms with his counterparts in one month: with Dominique Bussereau of France (June 14), Ireland's Mary Coughlan (June 22), and Spain's Elena Espinosa (July 11). A particularly ticklish issue is the European Commission's proposal to uproot 400,000 hectares of vineyards.

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