February 12, 2014, Ottawa: Canadian Food Inspection Agency

After extensive consultation, the Government of Canada is introducing regulatory amendments that will help Canadian icewine producers expand export markets and protect consumers from fraudulent products. Primarily, the amendments will create a new national standard for icewine.

These amendments also change the way information is displayed on wine containers and includes minor text amendments to the Food and Drug Regulations and to the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Regulations.

The new national standard requires icewine to be made exclusively from grapes naturally frozen on the vine. The definition of how icewine is produced will demonstrate that icewine produced in Canada meets international standards. These new wine labelling rules are designed to ease trade with the World Wine Trade Group's participating countries.

Quick Facts

• The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has consulted extensively with provinces and stakeholders on the new national icewine standard.
• Icewine is Canada's main wine export in terms of dollar value. It provides 45 per cent of Canada's wine export revenue while only consisting of 1.2 per cent of Canada's wine export volume.

Quotes

Today's announcement will ensure Canada meets our obligations under the World Wine Trade Group Agreement, and represents a tremendous benefit to Canadian wine exporters by providing greater market access for their excellent product.

The Honourable Gerry Ritz Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

We are continuing to open markets for Canada's icewine in countries that hold great potential for this world-renowned product. As we did with the historic agreement with the European Union, we are negotiating with top exporting destinations in Asia, such as Japan and South Korea. Canada currently exports $2.2 million of icewine to South Korea annually, which faces tariffs of 15 per cent. By supporting our wine producers in markets around the world, we are creating jobs and opportunities here at home.

The Honourable Ed Fast Minister of International Trade

Canada is one of the world's largest producers of icewine and our product is recognized internationally for its quality. As our flagship wine product, icewine accounts for 45 per cent of Canada's wine export revenue and these new regulations will further support the competitiveness of Canadian producers.

The Honourable Maxime Bernier Minister of State (Small Business and Tourism)

Canadian icewine producers from across Canada welcome the new federal regulation, which supports established provincial standards, enhances Canada's trade opportunities, and protects genuine icewine producers from those using unacceptable standards and fraudulent practices in both domestic and growing export markets.

Dan Paszkowski, President and Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Vintners Association

Related Products

Backgrounder: New National Standard for Icewine in Canada

CFIA Recent Regulatory Amendments

Associated Links

Canada Gazette

Contacts

Jeff English Director of Communications The Office of Gerry Ritz, Minister of Agriculture 613-773-1059

Media Relations Canadian Food Inspection Agency 613-773-6600