22 May 2008


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Drinks trade steps up excise duty campaign


Alcohol

by Mike Dennis
The booze industry is looking to get the support of consumers in its battle not to be targeted for future excise duty hikes by the Government.

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) gave the Responsible Drinks Alliance website what it called a “soft launch” at the London International Wine Fair (LIWF), which ends today (Thursday).

The www.responsibledrinkersalliance.co.uk website is due to go live shortly so consumers can add their voices to the lobbying efforts of the WSTA and other drinks trade organisations.

Chancellor Alistair Darling’s decision to raise excise duty rates in the spring Budget, by 14p on a bottle of wine, 55p on a bottle of spirits and 4p on a pint of beer, has galvanised the drinks industry to get the public on its side.

Darling plans further excise duty rises above the rate of inflation in succeeding Budgets.

WSTA chief executive Jeremy Beadles told a seminar at the LIWF that the health lobby has turned its attention to alcohol since smoking bans were introduced in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Beadles said the public would “set the agenda” on the website and the WSTA planned to use the responses as part of its lobbying process.

Public outcry, said Beadles, over the price of petrol has made it far more difficult for the Government to raise duty rates.

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