FOR YOUR INFORMATION
We share below a number of recent developments. As always, we rely on FIVS Members to apprise us of noteworthy matters. Please contact the FIVS Secretariat with items that may be of interest.
OF NOTE
- Australia’s Heat Wave: The current situation regarding the horrific fires in South Australia, Victoria, and other Australian States has caused their wine sectors to experience an “ominous” start to the growing season. On behalf of us at FIVS and all of our members, we wanted to express our deepest concern and solidarity.
- Marcus Grant: It is with great sadness that we report that Marcus Grant passed away on 23 December 2019. Marcus was the former head of the International Centre for Alcohol Policies, the predecessor organisation of the International Alliance for Responsible Drinking (IARD). Henry Ashworth, head of IARD, observed that Marcus was a transformational leader who dedicated much of his working life to reducing alcohol related harm. Our thoughts are with Marcus’s family.
MEMBER NEWS
- Australia – Australian Wine Research Institute Appoints a New Leader: FIVS had reported on the search by FIVS member the Australian Wine Research Institute (AWRI) for a new head. The AWRI recently announced that Tasmanian farmer turned viticulturist Mark Krstic has been appointed as its next managing director. Mark succeeds Dan Johnson, who had headed the AWRI since 2011 and will be assuming a new position beginning 01 February 2020 at Macquarie University. We would like to congratulate both Dan and Mark in their new positions and wish them great success.
ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY
- Labelling
- Argentina – New Rules on Labelling: The Argentine Government announced new rules at the end of last year in an attempt to simplify wine labelling regulations.
- Codex Alimentarius on Labelling: Codex recently released a letter seeking additional comments on the alcohol labelling discussion paper. The Codex Committee on Food Labelling (CCFL) is simply renewing its earlier request for comments on the alcohol labelling discussion paper that was discussed during its May 2019 meeting. Please note that members will be discussing this item on the upcoming Codex Alimentarius call this Thursday, 09 January 2020. Kindly contact the FIVS Secretariat if you are not a member of the task force and would like to participate.
- Minimum Unit Pricing
- Belarus: The Belarus Ministry of Antimonopoly Regulation and Trade is reportedly increasing the minimum price limits for spirits and fruit wines produced and sold in that country.
- Russia: The Russian Government has reportedly raised the minimum retail prices on cognac and vodka as of 01 January 2020. The minimum prices of other spirits, such as brandy and ethyl alcohol, will also be increased.
- Promotions
- Ireland – Further Restrictions on Alcohol: Beginning in January 2021, the Irish Ministry of Health will prohibit certain alcohol promotions in its efforts to reduce binge drinking. Banned activities will include short-term promotional drink offers, as well as the sale of alcohol at reduced prices or free with the purchase of other products or services. The Ministry also included restrictions on the award of loyalty card points associated with the purchase of alcohol.
- Substances
- China – Consideration of Approval of Additives: China announced the approval of 11 new food additives and 17 new FCM (food contact material) additives. The Chinese Government reported that these 28 new ingredients had passed safety evaluations and were granted approval. As an example, China will now permit the use of caramel in tequila as a colorant.
- Japan – New Limits for Methanol: Japan has reportedly revised its regulatory limits on methanol contained in alcohol beverages.
- The Ukraine – New Rules on Substances: The Government of Ukraine plans to issue new norms on substances (ingredients, components, etc.) that are permitted for use in the production of alcohol beverages labeled as “organic.” These rules also cover maximum permissible quantities that may be used.
- Taxation
- The Philippines – The Government Ratifies a Bill Hiking Alcohol Taxes: On 01 January 2020, the Philippines reportedly ratified a bill that increased excise taxes on alcohol beverages, heated tobacco products, and vapor cigarettes. Proponents argue that this measure is designed to reduce consumption of alcohol and other products while generating revenue to support the health care law.
- United States – Guidance on the Extended Tax Provisions: As has been widely reported, the Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 were extended through 31 December 2020. The Alcohol Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) produced this guide to address frequently asked questions related to the tax act. Among other things, the TTB offers guidance on different credits on domestically produced and imported wine. (See also this report.)
- Trade
- Mynamar – Alcohol Imports will be Allowed: Norms intended to relax Myanmar’s long standing ban on alcohol imports have apparently moved to that country’s Attorney General for approval. This notification will now make it possible to import alcohol beverages although these imports will still be subject to many regulatory norms.
SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY
- WHO to Accelerate Progress on Relevant SDGs: The World Health Organization (WHO) recently held a global meeting to accelerate its progress on Sustainability Development Goal (SDG) Target 3.4 (Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health). The meeting, hosted by Oman in mid-December 2019, touched upon the appropriateness of engaging with an “influential” private sector, including the alcohol beverage industry.
- Social Responsibility
- Ireland: Irish Minister for Health Simon Harris reportedly contacted members of the press requesting that they cease recommending alcohol-industry funded sites as resources on harmful consumption. He suggested they instead use the Irish Government’s website, askaboutalcohol.ie, which he characterised as a more trustworthy site.
- Research
- Alcohol Violence: This study, published in the online journal PLOS-Medicine in Sweden, alleges that men with alcohol problems are six times more likely to abuse their partners. It also found an increased risk of partner violence among men with mental illnesses and behavioural disorders, though this fact was apparently not considered within the test group of those with drinking problems.
- Atrial Fibrillation Episodes: This Australian study in The New England Journal of Medicine reportedly claims that curtailing alcohol consumption will dramatically cut the number of episodes of the potentially-deadly heart rhythm disturbance among moderate and heavy drinkers.
- Heart Tissue: New research published in mid-December in the Journal of the American Heart Association claims that a pattern of heavy drinking will increase the level of blood biomarkers indicating heart tissue damage. This article suggests there has been limited research in this area.