The vodka belt feels that our cultural her­itage is under attack. We claim that the ingredients of vodka have remained the same for centuries. If you want to make a spirit out of fruit, call it fruit vodka, but not real vodka.

Throughout its history European countries have fought hard to protect their own brands. Champagne has a geographical definition – it can only be made in the province of Champagne. Whisky can only be made out of grain and malted grain. Grappa can only be made from grapes. The list goes on.

The vodka belt wants equal treatment. If whisky has a strict definition, the same should apply to vodka. When the previ­ous directive on spirits was established, the vodka belt countries were not mem­bers of the EU. We were told that vodka would be given a strict definition in due time. Perhaps we were too naive….

Swedes are fond of Absolut vodka. The Finns love their Finlandia and Koskenkorva vodka. The Poles and the Balts all have their favourite brands. The point is not that these brands need to be pro­tected. The point is that the consumer needs to know what kind of vodka he/she is drinking.