Irish wine health warnings unacceptable stigma-Lollobrigida

(ANSA) - ROME, JAN 26 - Health warnings on wine bottles proposed by Ireland amount to an "unacceptable stigma" which Italy will combat in consultation with other major producers like France and Spain, Agriculture and Food Sovereignty Minister Francesco Lollobrigida said Thursday.
    Ireland plans to put labels on bottles of wine, beer and spirits similar to those on cigarettes packs highlighting the potential harm to the liver and cancer links of abuse of alcohol.
    Lollobrigida, grand-nephew of the late screen diva Gina, said he would liaise with Health Minister Orazio Schillaci on how to block the Irish labels.
    "Our position is clear. Any labelling that envisages stigma on the effects of wine on human health is unacceptable. We want to re-etsblish the truth. The Irish measure is not justifiable by any scientific evidence," said Lollobrigida, who has previously noted the positive health effects of a moderate use of wine.
    He said Rome would "open channels with France and Spain" on this battle.
    Italian regional governments also said Thursday they were ready to fight to defend their wines.
    "We are the top wine producers in the world. It is one of our top products and the Conference of Regions intends to defend it to avoid damage to production and the international image of our companies. We oppose the abuse of labelling on our wines," said the President of the Conference of Regions Massimiliano Fedriga, the governor of Friuli.
    He said that Ireland's plans, which have been backed by the EU, "must be strongly opposed". (ANSA).