Free Republic

France announces aid plan to help crisis-struck wine industry Mon Jan 31, 4:16 PM ET PARIS (AP) - The French government announced more than $91 million US in aid Monday for the country's struggling wine industry, hit by falling consumption at home and increased competition in export markets. The government will also allow the destruction of vines in overproducing regions and apply for EU permission to distill millions of surplus bottles into alcohol, Agriculture Minister Dominique Bussereau said. Bussereau said $15 million would be paid out to winemakers in extra grants and tax breaks, along with $71.7 million in loans...