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.
European Union – United States: Tariffs on alcohol, food, and airplanes suspended – The European Union and the United States agreed on 05 March 2021 to suspend for an initial period of four months all tariffs imposed during their dispute over allegedly illegal subsidies given to Boeing and Airbus. The agreement will suspend a 25% tariff levied by Europe on American rum, brandy, and vodka, and a 25% tariff imposed by the United States on liqueurs and cordials from Germany, Ireland, Italy, and Spain, and Cognacs and other grape brandies from France and Germany. The Office of the United States Trade Representative and the European Union said the agreement represents a “determination on both sides to embark on a fresh start in the relationship.” The suspension will take effect as soon as internal procedures have been completed. On 04 March 2021, the United States said it would temporarily suspend higher tariffs levied against UK products caught up in the dispute. This means lower duties on Scotch whisky which had been subjected to retaliatory duties.
- Statement by European Commission President von der Leyen
- Readout of President Biden’s call with President von der Leyen
Kenya: Parliament rejects banning alcohol sale in bottles less than 750 ml – After a member of Kenya’s Parliament sought to make the sale of alcohol beverages in bottles less than 750 ml illegal, Parliament’s National Security and Administration Committee reportedly concluded that existing laws, if enforced, were adequate to prevent underage drinking and excessive consumption. The Committee also noted its concern that the proposed measure would have led to job loss, declines in government revenue, and an increase in illicit alcohol.
Singapore: Alcohol beverages to be sold from vending machines? – Individuals in Singapore reportedly may soon be able to buy alcohol beverages from vending machines using a mobile app, SingPass, which verifies identities. The Government Technology Agency showcased the app’s new technologies on 04 March 2021 when it launched its new logo. More than ten features have been added to SingPass over the last three years. The number of people using the app tripled during 2020 to 2.5 million and over 90% have used the app at least once per month.
Slovenia: New regulations for food products that contain alcohol? – Slovenia’s National Institute of Public Health (NIJZ) has reportedly proposed that foods containing alcohol should be subject to the same restrictions as alcohol beverages, including bans on sales to minors and transactions after 9 p.m. The Institute has also reportedly proposed that these foods should be clearly and uniformly labelled, be made available only in specially marked places, and be removed from areas where other desserts and sweets are sold. The Consumers Association of Slovenia (ZPS) has published the results of its survey which examined 28 foods containing alcohol without the packaging specifying the alcohol content.
Uruguay: Zero-tolerance law is necessary to reduce road crash deaths – A study issued by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the Gonzalo Rodriguez Foundation reportedly demonstrated that zero blood alcohol legislation has saved lives in Uruguay, compared with countries that have limits of 0.3 grams per liter as a permitted blood alcohol level for driving. Responding to objections raised by a senator and the Minister of Livestock that the limit should be raised to 0.3 grams in support of the wine sector, the study concluded that several of the skills necessary to drive are adversely affected by any limits greater than zero.
Annual report on certified California sustainable winegrowing – A recent report, WINE INDUSTRY SUSTAINABILITY, from the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance (CSWA) reportedly shows that the vast majority of the state’s wine production is performed sustainably. As of December 2020, 171 wineries in California – representing 80% of all wine production in that state and producing 255 million cases of wine – were Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing. Wine sustainability has become a major point of emphasis as consumers have taken a keener interest. The most recent report from CSWA marks the ten-year anniversary of the launch of the program.
Events
FIVS-Abridge Global Wine Challenge with Burgundy School and University of Reims – The second Global Wine Challenge will be held virtually and in person on 11-12 March 2021 in Beaune, France. The academic competition will be comprised of four teams with students from the Burgundy School of Wine and Spirits Business and the Masters on Wine & Spirits Law of the University of Reims’s Wine & Law Program (A Jean Monnet Chair). The contestants will base their presentations on a case study related to the international wine and spirits business, using FIVS-Abridge, a database of agreements and national regulations for spirits and wine, for reference purposes.
Women in Wine: Navigating Risks and Opportunities – The U.S. Embassy in Paris, in conjunction with other U.S. agencies, is presenting a series of virtual events for participants from the United States and France to discuss practices that will help women engaged in the wine industry succeed. These events are free and open to all interested participants. Click here for more details and registration information.
2021 Virtual U.S. Sustainable Winegrowing Summit – Attendees at the second U.S. Sustainable Winegrowing Summit on 19-21 April 2021 will learn some of the driving forces behind the increasing interest in sustainable winegrowing, including new ideas on how to bring sustainability education and outreach to regions’ vineyards and wineries. Registration is complimentary and required for all attendees; tasting kits must be purchased by 01 April 2021 for those who wish to join a tasting on day one. Please find here the agenda and registration information.
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.