Germany is leading an initiative within the EU Agriculture Council to reinstate the allowance of sodium bicarbonate for use as a basic substance in viticulture. The move aims to address concerns arising from recent regulatory changes impacting winemakers across the bloc.
According to a statement released by the German Agriculture Ministry, many vineyards utilize sodium bicarbonate, a primary ingredient in baking soda, to combat the fungal disease known as downy mildew. However, current EU regulations stipulate that a substance can no longer be considered a simple basic substance if it is also contained within an approved plant protection product.
Federal Minister Alois Rainer highlighted the pressure faced by winemakers who are now compelled to seek out more expensive commercial plant protection products as alternatives. He emphasized the necessity for adjusting EU regulations to facilitate the pragmatic application of such basic substances within the wine production process.
The initiative enjoys support from eight other member states, including France and Austria, signaling a broader recognition of the issue’s significance.
The shift in regulations, which resulted in the cessation of sodium bicarbonate’s use as a basic substance in both Austria and Germany in March 2025, followed the approval of a plant protection product containing the substance in August 2024. This change is particularly affecting smaller and ecologically focused vineyards. Germany is advocating for the continued allowance of the use of tested and approved basic substances to maintain viable and sustainable practices within the wine industry.
