The French Ministry of Agriculture issued a release on 12 May 2020 announcing relief measures to support the French wine (viticulture) sector, which has been heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the main measures is an exemption from social security contributions for SMEs and micro-businesses in the sector. The exemption is part of the first step of a support plan that is to be strengthened in the coming weeks, which will include additional aid to distilleries.