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.
ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY
Labelling
Industry reaction to UK measures to tackle obesity – As reported in our alert last week, the UK government announced a series of measures that it intends to launch by year’s end to tackle obesity, including one to provide calorie labelling on alcohol beverages. Industry reactions have reportedly ranged from such statements as many producers already voluntarily provide caloric information both online and on-label – to expressing concern that UK producers will be placed at a competitive disadvantage at a time they are struggling because of the pandemic – to statements that the call for caloric content transparency was inevitable. Interestingly, Prime Minister Boris Johnson reportedly denounced health labels on wine bottles as “lunacy” earlier in his career. FIVS will be considering offering views on this matter.
Taxation
Excise duties within the EU – European Union member states have reached an agreement on new rules governing excise duties on alcohol beverages within the EU, taking effect on 01 January 2022. The new rules reportedly will increase the threshold for lower strength beer to which reduced rates may apply to encourage brewers to produce beverages with a lower alcohol content. The European Commission will reportedly monitor the introduction of excise duties or reduced excise rates for the private production of ethyl alcohol.
Trade
American lawmakers call for end of U.S. tariffs on European wines – A bipartisan group of more than 160 lawmakers have reportedly called on the U.S. Trade Representative to remove the 25% tariffs on wine, cordials, and whiskey products from the EU. The group noted that the tariffs had been imposed in October 2019 before food, beverage, and hospitality businesses had been devastated by the coronavirus pandemic.
European governments call for end of U.S. tariffs – Several European governments reportedly called on the United States to end its 25% tariffs on European wines – after the European airplane manufacturer at the center of the dispute over aircraft subsidies announced that it would increase its loan payments to France and Spain.
BUT this may not be over soon – The U.S. Trade Representative received more than 2,000 comments concerning proposed 100% tariffs on European spirits before the USTR’s deadline for comments expired in late July 2020. The USTR is expected to release its decision on 12 August 2020.
SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY
Studies
OIV research scholarship applications – The International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV) awards grants for research scholarships for specific post-graduate training programmes on a yearly basis. Special attention this year will be given to areas within viticulture, oenology, economy and law, and safety and health. The deadline for submitting applications is 24 October 2020.
Excessive drinking responsible for 93,000 American deaths annually – A Center for Disease Control and Prevention study during 2011-2015 reportedly found that excessive drinking was responsible for an average of 93,296 deaths and 2.7 million years of potential life lost – 29 years lost per death, on average – every year in the United States. Implications for public health practice include those recommended by the Community Preventive Services Task Force, such as increasing alcohol beverage taxes and regulating the number and concentration of venues that may sell alcohol.
Excessive alcohol as a risk factor for dementia – A study published by the Lancet Commission reportedly concludes that 40% of dementia could be prevented or delayed by targeting 12 modifiable risk factors, including excessive alcohol consumption. The report, which includes nine actions for policymakers and individuals, can be read here.
ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
Ending the curse of phylloxera – A study on a series of genes of the phylloxera – an insect that remains a potent threat to European vineyards – involving researchers from the Institute for Integrative Systems Biology Center of the University of Valencia was published in the journal BMC Biology. The work reportedly may provide the way for changing how viticulturists combat phylloxera and lead to resistant rootstocks, eliminating the need for costly grafting.