Notable Public Policy Developments Around the World – 04 November 2020

IN THE NEWS

FIVS Round Table on UN SDGs – On 27 October 2020, FIVS launched the publication, FIVS & the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: Walking the Talk, during the first of its virtual 2020 round table series, demonstrating the scope of the trade’s commitment to the UN’s goals. As described in this press release, the round table’s featured speaker was John Morris, a founding partner and CEO of 17 Asset Management, who described the merits of the UN’s sustainable initiatives and how organisations might integrate them in their operations.

• The National Association of Beverage Importers commended FIVS on the release of this publication, as well as its work in support of the UN’s 17 goals to achieve a sustainable future for all by 2030.

OIV Trade Figures: Pau Roca, the Director General of the International Organization of Vine and Wine (OIV), presented findings of 2020 wine production figures on Tuesday 27 October 2020. Overall, 2020 world wine production is expected to be approximately the same as in 2019, but below the average of the last 20 years and significantly less than the large harvest of 2018. You can view the OIV web press conference here.

LABELLING

Digital beer labelling in Russia – OPORA RUSSIA, a non-governmental organization for small and medium businesses in Russia, requested that the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade not introduce digital beer labelling, arguing it unnecessary because a counterfeit beer market does not exist. They also reportedly argue that the movement of goods is already controlled by the Unified State Automated Information System (EGAIS) and that digital labelling would only serve to increase the price of products by duplicating the EGAIS system.

TRADE

Chinese tariff on Australian barley – China has reportedly rejected Australia’s appeal to end a tariff on its barley exports, all but closing the door on trade that was worth approximately A$1.5 billion (US$1.05 billion) in 2018. In August, Australia had asked the Chinese government for a formal review of its processes, following the imposition of duties totaling 80.5 percent. About 70 percent of Australian barley is typically exported to China. Barley is used in breads and soups, to create malt for beer production, and for animal feed.

Impending EU Trade Retaliation: The European Union will reportedly impose retaliatory duties on as much as $4 billion in U.S. exports to the European Union on Tuesday 10 November 2020 in the Boeing-Airbus dispute. The Member States will reportedly provide views on a draft list of products targeted for retaliation by Tuesday 03 November 2020.  The EU is reportedly set to impose duties on 10 November regardless of the outcome of the U.S. Presidential election.

• The wine sector in Spain is reportedly selling high-ABV wines to the United States to cushion the impact of U.S. tariffs imposed by the Trump administration one year ago. A survey by the Spanish Wine Federation (FEV) reportedly found a decrease of 23 percent in sales value to the United States since the imposition of the tariff.

TRADEMARKS

Trademark dispute before the U.S. Supreme Court? – As a legal dispute between a toy maker and a Tennessee whiskey company heads to the U.S. Supreme Court, numerous members of the alcohol beverage industry have reportedly submitted amicus briefs to the Court. At issue is whether trademark laws protect brands from being parodied as novelty toys. In March 2020, the Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled that the toys were protected by the First Amendment and did not dilute the trademark. The industry argues that the Appeals Court is allowing the infringement of famous alcohol brands so long as humor has been involved.

RESEARCH

Alcohol, soccer, and domestic abuse – A study published in Social Science & Medicine considered the effect of English draws, losses, and wins in national football (soccer) on the number of alcohol and non-alcohol-related domestic abuse cases reported to the police from 2010 to 2019. Results reportedly showed that the number of reported alcohol-related domestic abuse cases increased following a football victory.

Heavy drinking and violence among young people – A study by the National Institute of Public Health in Denmark reportedly found that young people who drink heavily and frequently are more exposed to accidents and violence. The study based on 62,000 people aged 15 to 20 years showed that the risk of a fall requiring a trip to the hospital was 49 percent higher among those young people who drank more than five alcohol beverages. Those who engaged in binge drinking more than six times per month were involved in 162 percent more episodes of violence than those who consumed fewer alcohol beverages.

WHO Europe report on Moscow workshop – The World Health Organisation Regional Office for Europe issued a report summarizing the outcomes of a workshop held on 04-05 December 2019 in Moscow with Russia and 9 other countries (all formerly of the USSR) and technical experts. The report also reportedly praised Russia’s alcohol policy interventions and positive trends in its neighboring countries, while arguing that drinking levels are stagnating in the European Union.