241. Fully endorses that the grubbing-up of some modernised vineyards should have been avoided by clarifying existing provisions, so that the vast possibilities of interpretation would have been avoided and established additional eligibility criteria linked to the vineyard itself and not only to the farmer;

236. Notes that the Court of Auditors considers that grubbing-up did not always target the less competitive or less viable vineyards and that the scheme financed the grubbing-up of some vineyards that had already been restructured and were, in principle, competitive; regretfully notes that such cases are at odds with the policy objectives of the reform;

23. Considers that the objective Community criteria restricting the possibility of permanent abandonment may include the following: (a) vineyards in mountainous, coastal and island regions mainly producing wines with geographical indications; (b) vineyards on slopes where soil erosion and the loss of biodiversity must be prevented or in traditional regions of historical importance; (c) vineyards producing wines with a commercial outlet; (d) vineyards where excessive reduction would threaten the existence of a whole terroir or a registered designation of origin; (e) vineyards which received structural aid under Community programmes; ...[+++](f) cases where the abandonment of wine growing creates environmental risks;

23. Considers that the objective Community criteria restricting the possibility of permanent abandonment may include the following: (a) vineyards in mountainous, coastal and island regions mainly producing wines with geographical indications; (b) vineyards on slopes where soil erosion and the loss of biodiversity must be prevented or in traditional regions of historical importance; (c) vineyards producing wines with a commercial outlet; (d) vineyards where excessive reduction would threaten the existence of a whole terroir or a registered designation of origin; (e) vineyards which received structural aid under Community programmes; ...[+++](f) cases where the abandonment of wine growing creates environmental risks;

25. Considers that the objective Community criteria restricting the possibility of permanent abandonment may include the following: (a) vineyards in mountainous, coastal and island regions mainly producing wines with geographical indications; (b) vineyards on slopes where soil erosion and the loss of biodiversity must be prevented or in traditional regions of historical importance; (c) Vineyards producing wines with a commercial outlet; (d) vineyards where excessive reduction would threaten the existence of a whole terroir or a registered designation of origin; (e) vineyards which received structural aid under Community programmes; ...[+++](f) cases where the abandonment of wine growing creates environmental risks;

Article 11(3) of Regulation (EC) No 1493/1999 provides that the system for the restructuring and conversion of vineyards shall not cover the normal renewal of vineyards which have come to the end of their natural life.