The French senate has rejected a proposal to liberalise wine advertising on the Internet.

The second chamber of the French parliament has decided not to deviate, at least for the time being, from the strict French laws pertaining to advertising for wine on the Internet. Even a more restrictive interpretation of the term advertising - in accordance with which editorial texts may under no circumstances be banned - has been provisionally rejected.

This decision must be seen against the background of the successful lobbying work done by the anti-alcohol associations in France. At present, a campaign against binge drinking is being prepared. At the same time the senate has recorded in its deliberations that advertising should be permitted to some degree for small wine producers. (WF)