The Argentine government has launched the first stage of disputes proceedings at the World Trade Organisation against the European Union, which it accuses of breaking WTO rules through its winemaking regulations. Notably, Buenos Aires says that the EU Regulation EC/1493/1999 includes requirements on oenological practices that are “more trade restrictive than they should and could be.” In its statement, Argentina claimed that import restrictions imposed as a result on certain wines were inconsistent with WTO free trade rules.
