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.
World Health Organisation
Europe: WHO/Europe says alcohol is one of biggest risks for breast cancer, urges national policies to reduce consumption – During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the WHO has issued warnings that the risk of breast cancer increases with each unit of alcohol consumed per day, and that one in four alcohol-attributable breast cancer cases in the European region arises from drinking only one bottle of beer or two small glasses of wine every day. WHO/Europe has urged the implementation of nationwide policies to reduce alcohol consumption through higher taxation, banning or restricting alcohol marketing, placing health warnings on alcohol beverages, and reducing the availability of alcohol. The health body says breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer type in the WHO European Region, with 1,579 women diagnosed with breast cancer every day, and estimates that alcohol causes seven of every 100 new breast cancer cases in the European region.
Diversity
United States: NBA players driving diversity in wine sector – All-star NBA players, such as Carmelo Anthony, Seth Curry, LeBron James, and Dwyane Wade, are becoming involved in the wine industry as connoisseurs, investors, and owners, enhancing access and opportunities for Black people in wine. As Portland Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum noted, both basketball and wine require understanding complexities, learning strategies, dissecting the competition, and learning the ins and outs, adding that “the most incredible thing about wine is the way it brings people together.” This is coupled with Dwayne Wade’s recently announced efforts to help attract a more diverse student body to the University of California Davis.
Trade
New Zealand-United Kingdom: NZ-UK reach free trade deal, eliminating wine tariffs – New Zealand and the United Kingdom have reached an agreement in principle on free trade that is set to remove tariffs on UK goods such as clothing, ships, and bulldozers, as well as New Zealand goods such as wine, honey, and kiwi fruits. The pact is an agreement in principle only rather than a completed trade deal and significant elements are yet to be agreed-upon. The United Kingdom reportedly hopes that its application to become a member of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) will be viewed more favorably because of the UK’s deals with Japan in 2020, with Australia in June 2021, and with New Zealand.
- FIVS Member New Zealand Winegrowers’ support for this pact can be found HERE.
- The key elements of the agreement can be found HERE.
Taxation
Russia: Senator argues restrictions, high excise taxes led to more methanol poisoning deaths – The first deputy head of the budget committee of the upper house of Russia’s Federal Assembly has reportedly argued that large increases in excise taxes on alcohol and restrictions on the sale of alcohol beverages in stores have led to growth in the illicit alcohol market. Noting that only 40% of Russian grocery stores have licenses to sell alcohol, and residents of 72,000 rural settlements are unable to buy alcohol legally, the senator has proposed reducing restrictions to curb illicit sales. He has also reportedly proposed legislation that would prohibit bottling alcohol beverages in plastic containers, curtail the sale of bottles without the stamp of a glass factory, and ban shipping glass containers to manufacturers without a license.
United Kingdom: Suggestions for designing simpler, fairer alcohol taxation – The chief executive of FIVS member, the Wine & Spirit Trade Association, has reportedly suggested four actions that the UK’s Chancellor should take to redesign a simpler and fairer alcohol taxation in the United Kingdom: tax alcohol, not products, to reduce and remove existing unfairness; design a system that supports British products, not one that favours them; respect international definitions; and harvest the low hanging fruit by abolishing the sparkling wine “supertax.” He cites figures showing that duties have increased on wine by 39%, on spirits by 26%, on cider by 21%, and on beer by 16% since 2010.
Pesticides
France: Agencies launch study on pesticide-exposure in wine-growing areas – France’s food and public health agencies, Anses and Santé Publique France, will reportedly launch a study to gain a better understanding of pesticide exposure among 3,350 people living in wine-growing areas and in areas far from vineyards, running from October 2021 through August 2022. The researchers will measure the exposure of individuals to pesticides, as well as monitor pesticide levels in outdoor and indoor air, and in water and food.
Climate
United Kingdom: Scotch whisky blended for COP26 climate summit to show commitment to sustainability – A limited-edition blended Scotch whisky has reportedly been created for attendees at the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow. The blend is meant to showcase the industry’s commitment to sustainability: the 900 bottles were made from 97% recycled glass, the fully recyclable stoppers were created from natural cork, recycled wood, and cork particles, the label paper contains 55% post-consumer recycled fibres, including leftover barley from whisky production, and the cartons were made from 100% recycled fibres. The sector says it is committed to reaching net-zero emissions by 2040 and building on progress made during the past decade, including a 34% cut in the emission of greenhouse gasses, a 22% improvement in water efficiency, and a 75% reduction in waste sent to landfill.
Alcohol ban
South Africa: Concern that government may impose another ban on alcohol sales – South Africa’s beer sector has reportedly written to the Trade, Industry, and Competition Minister, requesting that he ensure the South African Cabinet does not impose further ineffective alcohol bans when local elections are held in November or with the arrival of a fourth wave of COVID-19 infections in December 2021. Recent appeals to the Minister have reportedly gone unanswered, and the sector fears the government may announce another immediate ban on the legal trade of alcohol without any warning or opportunity for the industry to engage properly with government.
Illicit alcohol
Venezuela: Illegal market has doubled during pandemic – three out of every five liters of alcohol are now adulterated – The Chamber of the Venezuelan Alcoholic Species Industry (Civea) has reportedly said that the consumption of illegal alcohol has doubled during the pandemic: in 2019, one out of every three liters of alcohol in Venezuela was illegal, but three of every five liters of alcohol beverages now marketed in the nation are illicit. These illicit products – homemade with harmful substances, imitations of recognized brands mixed with water and even detergent, or smuggled alcohol bottles – have become 80% cheaper than nationally manufactured beverages that must comply with all requirements and pay national, state, and municipal taxes. Since 2017, 300 people caused serious damage to their bodies and 63 people in Venezuela have died after consuming illicit alcohol.
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.