The French government is seeking €120 million from the European Commission to destroy 30,000 hectares of vineyards, primarily in the Bordeaux region, due to a significant drop in domestic and international sales. This is part of a plan to address the crisis in the wine industry, driven by changing consumption habits and overproduction. The plan includes paying volunteers €4,000 per hectare to permanently remove vines, with the funds coming from the 'Ukraine' emergency fund. The request has been sent to the European Commission, with a decision expected soon. The decline in wine consumption is part of a broader trend, with younger generations preferring apéritifs or cocktails, and wine exports suffering post-Covid and due to competition from other countries like Spain and Italy. The industry also faces challenges such as climate change, which has caused damage to vineyards.