Drinks Ireland director Patricia Callan has welcomed the freeze in excise duty in the recent UK Budget, as it will 'provide some relief' for our Northern Irish beer, cider, and spirits producers and wine importers.
Callan stated: "The UK currently has the fourth highest aggregate rate of excise on alcoholic products relative to EU countries, which puts undue pressure on small drinks producers in particular."
Research & Development Support
The representative body for drinks producers, distributors and brand-owners in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, has also welcomed the £10 million announced for research and development (R&D) spending to help decarbonise distilleries.
"We are seeking clarity on the Budget statement which announced £1 million to market Scottish food and drinks, including Scotch whisky, overseas," Callan added.
Irish whiskey and Irish cream liqueur in Northern Ireland have equally been hit with 25% tariffs from the US as part of the Boeing/Airbus trade dispute, so they should be provided with similar support."
© 2020 Checkout – your source for the latest Irish retail news. Article by Donna Ahern. Click sign-up to subscribe to Checkout.
