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.
Global: FIVS launches updated advertising and marketing principles during round table session – FIVS launched its updated Guiding Principles for Advertising and Marketing for Alcohol Beverages during the first session of its 2021 virtual round table series, demonstrating the sector’s ongoing commitment to discourage the harmful consumption of alcohol beverages. The featured speaker of FIVS’s first virtual 2021 round table session was Laurent Scheer of Pernod Ricard, who described the role of international organisations in promoting social sustainability aims and their impact on the beer, spirits, and wine sectors. Patricia Callan of Drinks Ireland at Ibec and Kurt Moore of the South African Liquor Brand owners Association took part in a panel discussion on these issues, moderated by the WSTA’s Simon Stannard.
Trade
China: Companies grappling with China’s new import rules for food and beverages effective 01 January 2022 – The General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) published new food safety rules in April 2021, stipulating that all food manufacturing, processing, and storage facilities abroad must be registered by year’s end for their goods to access the Chinese market – but detailed procedures were not issued until October 2021 and a website for companies to self-register did not go online until November 2021. The GACC has provided little explanation about why even foods considered low risk such as wine are covered by the requirements. Last week, the GACC reportedly agreed that implementation would apply only to goods produced on or after 02 January 2022, effectively granting a delay for products already shipped, although it has not yet published an official notification.
European Union-United Kingdom: Draft legislation to end VI-1 forms – Although approval by a committee was still required, the UK government has published draft legislation to completely end the requirement of VI-1 forms for importing wine into the United Kingdom from within the European Union and elsewhere. WSTA director of policy Simon Stannard noted that the biggest effect would likely be felt by countries such as Argentina, New Zealand, and South Africa which do not have simplified procedures and were required to undertake costly, full laboratory analyses. The proposed legislation will also reportedly extend the transition period for labelling laws that would have come into effect from September 2022 until May 2023, giving the government more time to finalise labelling rules and giving producers more time to adjust once the rules have been promulgated.
Health policy
European Union: CEEV reiterates the importance for policies to be science- and evidence-based – As the European Parliament Special Committee on Beating Cancer (BECA) adopted policy recommendations which included the statement that there is “no safe level of alcohol consumption,” Comité Européen des Entreprises Vins (CEEV) noted that no scientific data exists to support an increased risk of cancer when wine is consumed in moderation with meals as part of a Mediterranean diet and as part of a healthy lifestyle. The CEEV reiterated the importance for policy to be science- and evidence-based. While the CEEV supports the EU’s Beating Cancer Plan and its overall goal to reduce the harmful use of alcohol, it noted that emphasis must be placed squarely on harmful consumption.
International organisations
Global: WHO EURO report on alcohol digital marketing calls for global restrictions – A new report, Digital marketing of alcohol: Challenges and policy options for better health in the WHO European Region, published by the World Health Organisation’s regional office for Europe presents policy options for WHO member states modelled on the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. The report claims that digital ecosystems “invade online personal spaces,” promoting “alcohol consumption and the associated health risks.” Compiled with input from academics and civil society, including Movendi International, the report contains no data or discussion regarding declines in underage drinking since the rise of social media, and it largely overlooks voluntary and self-regulatory efforts taken globally by the alcohol sector.
Climate Change
France: Solutions-based publication for the wine sector during the era of climate crisis – A new book, Quel Vin for Demain (What Wine for Tomorrow? Wine in the Face of Climate Challenges), published in French but reportedly soon available in Spanish and English too, presents solutions for the era of climate crisis, including chapters on planting decisions, winegrowing, winemaking, packaging, and transport, as well as commerce, consumption, communication, and education. The authors are reportedly optimistic that wine producers will survive and thrive if they share their knowledge on solutions that many are individually exploring.
Global: Growers seeking solutions as climate crisis intensifies – As the climate crisis intensifies – bringing increasingly severe wildfires, heatwaves, milder winters and earlier springs, droughts, and unpredictable frosts and rainfall – growers across the world are making changes in hope of saving future harvests. Examples include letting a long shoot grow on the vine until spring has officially started to slow the vine’s growth so that fewer potential buds are lost to frost; planting fruit trees to provide better shade and humidity to protect grapes during unseasonably hot days; downsizing vineyards to ensure grapes can be harvested quickly; and turning towards white wine varieties that may be less vulnerable to the effects of smoke.
South Africa: Government may reimpose alcohol restrictions as COVID cases rise – As infections from the Omicron variant increase, South Africa’s president is expected to address the nation soon “in a family meeting” and alcohol restrictions are allegedly once more under consideration. Although the latest wave of infections may be nearing its peak, the government may decide to ban the sale of alcohol beverages during the weekend and prohibit off-licence alcohol venues from selling alcohol on public holidays through mid-January.
United Kingdom: Largest increase in alcohol-related deaths since 2001 reported – According to the UK’s Office for National Statistics (ONS), deaths resulting from alcohol misuse increased by nearly 19% in 2020 during the pandemic – the greatest increase since the ONS began collecting this data in 2001. Twice as many men as women died of alcohol-specific deaths, and those living in the most deprived areas were three times more likely to suffer alcohol harm (including deaths) compared with those living in the most affluent areas. At the same time, large budget cuts have reportedly been made in recent years for specialist services to treat the highest levels of alcohol-related harm. And the UK’s ten-year drug strategy – which has pledged £780 million in specialist treatment for drug problems – reportedly does not include plans to update dedicated treatment strategies for alcohol problems.
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.