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 Trade
Australia – China: Australia sets conditions for China joining Pacific pact – As China formally applies to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and works to gain the consensus support of its 11 members, Australia’s trade minister has reportedly set de facto preconditions for accession. Australia reportedly has indicated that China must first resolve disputes at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) regarding sanctions on numerous Australian imports. Australian wine sales to China fell from over A$1 billion (US$840 million) after Beijing imposed the tariffs.
World Health Organisation
United Kingdom: Pub owners claim that WHO plans to cut alcohol consumption is arbitrary – UK pub owners warn that the WHO’s draft Global alcohol action plan that seeks to cut alcohol consumption by 20% by 2030 would apparently result in the loss of 83,000 British jobs in hospitality and supply chain businesses and force already struggling bars to close. The UK government has suggested that WHO targets should focus on harmful consumption rather than drinking overall. Christopher Snowdon of the Institute for Economic Affairs has reportedly suggested that the WHO may have included this unreachable target in its action plan so that the WHO can later call for a framework for alcohol control, arguing that voluntary measures have failed.
- European Union: WHO calls for doubling taxes on alcohol in Europe to reduce cancer deaths – On 20 September 2021, the World Health Organisation (WHO) reportedly suggested that approximately 6% of new cancer cases and alcohol-related cancer deaths in the WHO’s European region could be avoided each year by doubling current excise duties on alcohol beverages. The WHO reportedly said doubling taxes would save the most lives in Germany, Russia, and the United Kingdom, and would help particularly with preventing deaths from breast and colorectal cancers.
Illicit Alcohol
India: Surge in illicit production and smuggling following first phase of Andhra Pradesh’s total prohibition plan – During the first phase of Andhra Pradesh’s plan to implement total prohibition in the state, the government has increased alcohol prices and closed one-third of its liquor outlets, apart from over 40,000 illicit alcohol shops – spawning a vast network of illicit alcohol production and inter-state smuggling. A Special Enforcement Bureau, established in May 2021, has reportedly registered 120,822 cases of alcohol smuggling and illicit alcohol production, involving the arrests of 125,202 individuals and the seizure of 24,491 vehicles. Smuggling and cultivation of cannabis in the state has increased as well; authorities have seized over 18,000 kg this year.
Kenya: National government seeks control of licensing alcohol, charging that county governments allow licenses for illicit sales – Kenya’s national government is reportedly seeking Parliament’s intervention to resolve overlaps in alcohol regulation and control between the national government and county administrations. According to Kenya’s Interior Principal Secretary, the national government will seek to amend Article 186 of the Constitution to ensure clarity that standardisation and licensing of alcohol is a function of the national government. The move comes as county governments are reportedly issuing licenses to stores that are selling illicit alcohol, a business that is apparently mushrooming.
Food Additives
Germany: Survey finds 55% try to avoid food additives, concerned about cancer and obesity – A survey conducted by the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) found that 55% of their respondents try to avoid additives when buying food. Possible intolerance, as well as the promotion of cancer and obesity, are risks that the respondents associate with food additives. The results showed that the respondents rated their knowledge regarding food additives as low, feeling uninformed about the functions and possible health risks of the additives. Even commonly used food additives were unknown to many.
Social Media
Global: Study expresses concern over TikTok’s portrayal of drinking – A study published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs found that 98 of the top 100 TikTok videos using the hashtag “#alcohol” portrayed drinking in a manner promoting connections between alcohol and friendship, familiarity, and camaraderie. More than two-thirds of the videos featured spirits, and 61% showcased people consuming multiple drinks in rapid succession. The study’s lead author from the University of Arkansas expressed concern that one-third of those viewing TikTok are too young to drink, encouraged TikTok to employ age-verification mechanisms to prevent underage users from watching alcohol-related content, and suggested that public health officials should reach out to TikTok’s young user base.
United States: Gordon Burns of ETS Laboratories – This interview with FIVS member Gordon Burns, Technical Director and co-founder of ETS Laboratories, will be of particular interest. Gordon recounts the history of ETS Laboratories, discusses how the best wines combine art with science, and addresses numerous other topics such as NMR technology, regulatory pressures, trade associations, and the future of the wine sector.
Australia: Wine and beer allowed in some parks to thank vaccinated residents – The New South Wales Planning and Public Spaces Minister will reportedly allow fully vaccinated residents to consume wine and beer during daylight hours in certain Sydney parks and public spaces through 31 October 2021. As before, only fully vaccinated people will be allowed to visit parks within their LGA or up to 5km from home. Rangers will patrol parks to ensure that all visitors follow physical distancing guidelines.
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.