Alcohol
Scotch but no bourbon: UK-US trade truce gives dram of hope to drinks industry
The drinks industry welcomed a trade truce between Britain and United States that saw tariffs removed on Scotch whisky and most other spirits, although they called for further efforts to remove the last export duties on American whiskey.
Russia to revive sobering-up stations in 2021
Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law on Tuesday (29 December) that will revive sobering-up stations previously used to allow severely intoxicated people to recover from their inebriation.
EU beer market sales fell 20% so far this year due to COVID-19
The EU beer market estimates that its sales have dropped by 20% so far this year, a figure which could rise to 25% by the end of the year, the secretary-general of the Brewers of Europe, told EURACTIV in an interview.
Europe’s hospitality sector makes last appeal ‘before it’s too late’
Hit hard by the pandemic, Europe’s hospitality sector is struggling to find a way out of the current chaos. Speaking to EURACTIV, its representatives have painted a bleak picture and called on governments to take immediate action to help the sector revive rapidly before it’s too late.
Pubs ask for VAT cut on alcohol to face post-COVID reality
Europe’s hospitality sector has been hit hard by the lockdown measures enforced across the continent to contain the spread of COVID-19. In Belgium, pubs and restaurants were forced to shut down on 13 March. The Belgian government provided one-off payments and...
MEP: Commission could issue recommendations to revive EU hospitality sector
The European Commission could recommend that EU member states take measures such as tax and red tape reductions to help the struggling hospitality sector recover from the economic losses incurred by the pandemic-induced lockdown, MEP Ivan Štefanec has said.
MEPs call for ad hoc panel to restore trust between lawmakers and wine sector
The European Parliament's agriculture committee (COMAGRI) has made the creation of a high-level group to discuss the post-COVID-19 wine sector one of the conditions for lifting its veto on the Commission's aid package for fruit and vegetable producers.
Beer boss: Lowering VAT on alcohol would help hospitality sector revive quickly
Lowering VAT rates on alcohol across Europe would tremendously help the hospitality sector's efforts to turn the business around quickly and eventually recover from the disastrous economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Brewers of Europe.
Reopened Brussels bars ‘invaded’ by thirsty beerdrinkers
As some Brussels cafes reopened after almost three months of lockdown, thirsty Belgian drinkers were more than ready.
A million pre-paid beers await drinkers as Europe’s bars reopen
As bars across Europe gradually reopen, up to a million free or pre-paid beers are waiting to lure back wary consumers.
From Prosecco to Chianti, coronavirus sours Italy’s wine sales
With Italy's restaurants and bars closed for another month and global trade snuffed out by the coronavirus, the world's top wine producing country is experiencing an existential crisis.
EU sees wine consumption, exports dry up as consumers stay home
Wine consumption in the European Union is expected to fall this season due to the decision to close bars and restaurants to contain the coronavirus, with exports hit by extra US tariffs, the EU's executive said on Monday (20 April).
How biofuels enter the race against the coronavirus pandemic
For 2020, hand sanitisers and disinfectants are what new iPhones and electric vehicles were for 2019. So, who are the Apples and Teslas of ethyl alcohol, asks Zoltán Szabó and explains how a climate solution is being turned into health assistance.
Beer, wine, spirit makers pledge age-restriction labels on drinks
Twelve leading beer, wine and spirits companies have pledged to put clear age-restriction labels on their drinks and set tighter controls on access to their online content in a bid to reduce underage drinking.
Outgoing Commissioner Andriukaitis suggests disbanding EU alcohol forum
The EU Alcohol and Health Forum (EAHF), which aims to tackle alcohol-related harm, should come to an end because its stakeholders have not been able to find common ground, the outgoing EU Health Commissioner Vytenis Andriukaitis has said.
Alcohol could cause new EU health chief headache
The European spirits industry has called on Stella Kyriakides, EU Commissioner-designate for health, to revive the European Alcohol and Health Forum, which has been inactive since 2015 after twenty public health NGOs decided to pull out.
Two-thirds of deaths of under 75-year-olds could have been prevented
In 2016, the deaths of 1.2 million Europeans under 75 were considered premature and could have been prevented, according to a report by Eurostat. EURACTIV's partner Ouest-France reports.
Spirits industry bets on online tools for consumer information
The European spirits industry launched a new web portal on Tuesday (12 March) to provide more consumer information on liquors and other distillates. However, it is still unclear whether such initiatives are in line with the European Commission's objectives.
Quality wine consumption is best way to tackle binge drinking, wine sector says
Getting drunk is not the point of drinking wine, representatives from the wine sector said at a EURACTIV event to celebrate 10 years of an international programme that promotes a satisfactory and healthy approach to wine consumption.
The future role of wine in society
The EU Alcohol and Health Forum, chaired by the European Commission, was established in June 2007. The Wine in Moderation programme was the commitment of the EU wine sector to the Forum.
Pernod Ricard CEO: Informed consumers will make healthier choices
“Information is power,” the boss of French spirits maker Pernod Ricard told EU policymakers last week, underlining the fundamental role of consumer education in reducing alcohol abuse, particularly among students.
Partnerships for Good! Empowering students for well-being in a responsible and active Europe
2019 is a decisive year for the future of Europe. The voice of European students deserves to be heard to understand what they expect and how Europe can empower them to build a responsible, active and healthy Europe.
Irish Senate passes alcohol law, introducing minimum price and labelling
For the first time, Ireland has adopted legislation on the risks associated with alcohol, in a country where alcoholism has had devastating consequences. EURACTIV France’s media partner Ouest-France reports.