My Lords, I am very grateful to all noble Lords who have contributed to this brief, but very illuminating, debate on ice wine and the further measures in this statutory instrument. There
has been consensus on the importance of these changes. Although ice wine is not produced domestically, but imported, it is really important that consumers are able to identify products easily.
The change will assure consumers that only wine that is made from grapes naturally frozen on the vine is sold as ice wine. Taking up my noble friend’s point, and as other noble Lords have mentioned, the change is also necessary for compliance with the UK’s CPTPP agreement. What good timing that today’s SI debate is on the same day as that Bill’s Report. Similarly, introducing the most recent winemaking techniques—let us not forget the second part of the SI, because it is really important for what is a growing industry—will enable English wine producers to use the latest technological advancements and winemaking practices.
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I turn now to some of the specific questions raised. The noble Baroness, Lady Walmsley, talked about Northern Ireland in relation to the CPTPP. The accession protocol of the UK to the CPTPP contains a provision that provides for the relationship between the Windsor Framework and the CPTPP. It ensures that nothing in the CPTPP will prevent the UK fulfilling its obligations under the Windsor Framework, which protects Northern Ireland’s integral place in the union. The United Kingdom as a whole will accede to the CPTPP and every nation and region of the UK is expected to benefit from the agreement with members with a combined GDP worth around 12% of global GDP in 2022. Accession could enhance the already strong trade links between Northern Ireland and CPTPP members. Northern Ireland goods exports alone were worth £0.9 billion in 2022, or 3.5% of total UK exports to CPTPP countries.
I move on to the other devolved Administrations and the important issue of timing in Wales and Scotland that was raised. My understanding—I will go back and correct the record if this is wrong—is that the SI was passed in Scotland today, and in Wales, it is scheduled for business in the Senedd on 23 January. All three SIs are due to come into effect in each country on the same day, 15 July 2024, so we anticipate no divergence in GB.
In response to the noble Baroness, Lady Walmsley, on the issue of making the wine duty easement permanent, the Government understand that there will be some administrative changes for businesses in adapting to the new wine duty structure. We have listened to industry to ensure that these are not unnecessarily burdensome. There is a transitional measure for 18 months from August 2023, which will mean that all wine between 11.5% and 14.5% ABV will pay duty as if it were 12.5% ABV. This is a generous concession to support the wine industry in moving to the new system.
Noble Lords asked about guidance on ice wine. As I understand it, the advice will be on GOV.UK after it is announced in the Chamber but before the SI comes into force. It will not be on GOV.UK tomorrow afternoon, but it will be there for everyone to see, importers and consumers, in advance of that July date. I hope that is satisfactory to noble Lords.
The definition of ice wine is that the grapes must be frozen when they are picked. I have yet to try it but, having debated this SI, it is definitely—