The Drinks Industry Group of Ireland has called on the Irish government to follow the example set by the UK, where chancellor George Osbourne removed the 'alcohol duty escalator' in this week's Budget, in order to support the Scotch whiskey industry.
“We would call on the Irish government to consider our own domestic success stories, and to support indigenous products such as Irish whiskey, beer and cream liquors in a similar manner, and support the 62,000 people that are directly employed by the sector," a DIGI spokesperson said. “As acknowledged by Mr Osbourne in his budget speech yesterday, excise increases are not an equitable means of addressing alcohol misuse, and that a more targeted approach is more effective."
During his Budget speech, the UK chancellor said "We’ve introduced new laws to prevent alcohol being sold below minimum tax rates, and this helps prevent supermarkets undercutting pubs, and helps stop problem drinking. It’s a far more targeted approach than the alcohol duty escalator hated by many responsible drinkers. Today, I am scrapping that escalator for all alcohol duties." The DID spokesperson commented: “DIGI fully supports the introduction of a targeted approach to alcohol misuse, and has sought time and again to work with government in order to assist in the development of a meaningful strategy to misuse.”
© 2014 - Checkout Magazine by Stephen Wynne-Jones
