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.
International Organisations
Global: WHO posts second draft of action plan on harmful use in advance of consultation with Member States – In advance of its consultation session with Member States, the WHO Secretariat has published the second draft of the Global Alcohol Action Plan (GAAP) on its website. The second draft has been amended to read “at least a 20% relative reduction (in comparison with 2010) in the harmful use of alcohol achieved by 2030” – an improvement over the first draft which focused on reducing use per se, rather than harmful use. However, the target in the second draft remains doubled at 20%. Other critical concerns remain in the second draft, including references to a framework convention, the elevation of SAFER above other policy interventions, and calling upon producers to “refrain from promoting drinking.” The second draft is available in English only. The first draft of the action plan was published in July 2021 and the working document towards a global action plan was published in October 2020.
Health
Global: Individuals with heart rhythm problems should be cautious about drinking alcohol – This article cites several studies indicating that most healthy adults need not be concerned that drinking alcohol can elevate heart rates, but those individuals with heart rhythm problems should be cautious. Data compiled during 2020 from 32 clinical trials on alcohol consumption found that one standard drink tended to elevate heart rates by five beats per minute during the following six hours, but two or more drinks resulted in greater increases in heart rates that remained slightly elevated up to 24 hours. A study conducted during Munich’s Oktoberfest in 2017 found that 26% of 3,000 individuals tested had resting heart rates above 100 beats per minute, a risky but not life-threatening condition. But 5-6% showed irregular heartbeats that were considered more dangerous, including atrial fibrillation which can lead to strokes.
Labelling
European Union: CEEV & spiritsEUROPE launch U-label platform – On 30 September 2021, Comité Européen des Entreprises Vins (CEEV) and spiritsEUROPE launched the U-label platform (http://www.u-label.com/), an online tool that supports wine and spirits companies providing EU consumers with relevant, accurate, and detailed information about their products by means of e-labels, accessible to consumers through a QR-code printed on the back labels of bottles. The platform is open to wine and spirits companies, including small and micro-companies, that wish to commercialise their products in the European Union. You can view the launch event HERE.
Government policies
India: Delhi government asks the population not to hoard alcohol as privately-run shops are closed – After ordering all private liquor shops to close by 30 September 2021, the Delhi government has reportedly asked its population not to gather in government-run liquor stores or hoard alcohol beverages. Liquor stores run by Delhi government agencies will close their businesses on 16 November 2021. The government intends to allocate new licenses to private firms for 850 new stores in 32 zones under a new excise policy to open on 17 November 2021. The policy will prohibit sales through grilled shops with people crowding outside on roads and pavements, and will provide for various facilities for wine tastings.
- India: Uttar Pradesh government may help develop wine sector – Senior officials of Uttar Pradesh’s Excise Department reportedly have met the wine manufacturers’ association to discuss ways of establishing and developing a wine industry in Uttar Pradesh. Briefing representatives from other states about the promotion of wine production units, the Department’s Chief Secretary reportedly said provisions have been made for the establishment of wineries for the upcoming year. The Excise Department intends to identify districts where fruit cultivation is high, but produce is not fully utilised.
United Kingdom: Wine and spirit association calls on chancellor to freeze duty in new budget – The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has called on the chancellor to freeze wine and spirit duties in the budget that will be announced on 27 October 2021, noting that the average price of a bottle of wine has gone up 18p and a bottle of gin has increased by 22p during the last year. The trade group said the impact of the pandemic, closure of the hospitality sector, Brexit, and adapting to a new trading landscape has resulted in record high prices. The WSTA has also asked the government to keep a lower rate of VAT for hospitality, and to broaden the scheme to include alcohol beverages.
Global: New OIV publication on evolution of organic vineyards – A new OIV publication, World Organic Vineyard, reports on the development and repartition of certified organic vineyard areas producing wine grapes, table grapes, and raisins from 2005 to 2019. This report found that the certified organic area increased by an average of 13% per year, while the “non-organic” area decreased by an average of 0.4% per year within the same timeframe, perhaps because certified organic viticulture is still a recent phenomenon. In 2019, the certified organic area was estimated at 454 kha, representing 6.2% of the world’s total area under vines. Spain, France, and Italy together account for the 75% of organic vineyards in the world total distribution. The report also notes significant movement both in upwards and downwards directions, because the conversion of a vineyard to organic cultivation is often complex and requires a considerable amount of adaptation.
United States: Jim Trezise of WineAmerica – This piece written by Jim Trezise, President of WineAmerica, will be of particular interest. In a section entitled, Sustainability: Key to the Future, Jim notes that FIVS has long been working on the international level to develop a comprehensive sustainability function in line with expectations and requirements of governments around the world. And he commends the Wine Institute for leadership in the area, highlighting the work of Allison Jordan, Vice President of Environmental Affairs at Wine Institute.
South Africa: Following meetings of the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) and the President’s Coordinating Council, South Africa’s President announced that the country would move to Alert Level 1 lockdown effective as of 01 October 2021. Alcohol sales are now permitted under normal trading hours, but non-essential businesses including bars and restaurants must close by 11 p.m. so that staff and patrons can reach home before the start of a midnight to 4 a.m. curfew. The South African Liquor Brand Owners’ Association (Salba) welcomed the relaxation of alcohol trading restrictions, which hopefully will aid in the recovery of businesses, noting that approximately R900 million had been lost due to riots that occurred during July 2021.
United States: Surveys indicate increased alcohol consumption during 2020 – A survey commissioned by the American Psychological Association found that nearly one in four adults reported drinking more this past year to manage their stress. An NIAAA study found that general alcohol consumption increased by 39% from February – November 2020 and that binge drinking rose by 30% during the same period. The largest increases in average consumption reportedly occurred among women with children younger than age five (323%), Black women (173%), Black men (173%), and Hispanic women (148%).
NOTE: We make no warranty of any kind regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information in these FIVS Alerts; nor do we necessarily support or agree with views expressed or contained therein.