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 London meetings on environmental sustainability conclude – The conference co-hosted by FIVS and the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) held in London on 25 October 2023 addressed key environmental sustainability issues, including “farm to fork” initiatives, efforts to mitigate carbon footprints, how the investment community views sustainability efforts, and innovations in packaging technologies. Internal FIVS sessions held the following day, involved fruitful sessions led by its working group, committee, and task force chairs, focusing on health, nutrition, and ingredient labelling; fire impact; and the activities of key international organizations.
- Following the conclusion of the meetings, Jim Trezise, President of WineAmerica, commended FIVS, which he characterised as the organisation “protecting the worldwide wine industry.” He noted that FIVS leaders and members saluted FIVS Head of Secretariat Bennett Caplan during a gala dinner that concluded the meetings as he transitions to a new role at year’s end.
Australia – China: China announces expedited review of its tariffs on Australian wine – The Chinese government reportedly will undertake an “expedited review” of its tariffs on Australian wines in advance of plans for the Australian prime minister’s meeting with China’s president and premier in Beijing on 04-07 November 2023.
European Union – United States: EU tariffs on U.S. whiskey may double to 50% in January – Because an agreement was not reached during the EU-U.S. Presidential Summit, EU tariffs on American whiskey are still scheduled to double to 50% on 01 January 2024. The European Union imposed a 25% retaliatory tariff on American whiskey in June 2018 after the Trump Administration imposed tariffs on steel and aluminum, causing exports of American whiskey to fall by 20 percent. In October 2022, the Biden Administration reached an agreement with the European Union to suspend the EU tariffs on American whiskey for two years, beginning on 01 January 2022. Negotiations are of course on-going.
Canada: Formation of Canadian Association for Responsible Drinkers (CARD) to provide unbiased information – An alliance of industry groups and others have formed the Canadian Association for Responsible Drinkers (CARD) http://www.cafrd.ca whose mission is to provide information that encourages responsible consumption and reduces harmful consumption of alcohol beverages. The group’s website contains commentary on a report issued by the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA), which states that “there is no safe level” of alcohol consumption. Additional resources including media interviews can be found here.
Japan: Ministry of Health releases draft of Japan’s first guidelines for healthy drinking – Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare reportedly released a draft of Japan’s first “Guidelines for Healthy Drinking,” following discussions during the Ministry’s Conference on Alcohol-related Health Problems. The draft guidelines reportedly recommend “reducing the amount of alcohol consumed as much as possible.” The group reportedly debated whether guidelines could “give a misunderstanding” if it were to suggest safe levels of consumption for men and for women – for example by “saying that it is safe for men to drink up to 40g of pure alcohol per day, and up to 20g for women, which is just at the edge of the risk index.” The article suggests that the Japanese Ministry is responding to the World Health Organization’s work on alcohol-related issues and its adoption of the Global Strategy to Reduce the Harmful Use of Alcohol.
South Africa: Social Development Ministry calls for review of Liquor Amendment Bill to raise drinking age, ban ads on social/small media – South Africa’s Social Development Minister reportedly said the government intends to review the Liquor Amendment Bill, which would increase South Africa’s drinking age to 21; limit the sale of alcohol beverages to locations more than 100-metres from education and religious institutions; ban the advertisement of alcohol on social and small media; and introduce a liability clause for those who sell alcohol. The legislation was originally introduced in 2016. The Minister reportedly said that “alcohol is one of the most abused substances that causes the most harm to the most people in our country.”
Uganda: Health Ministry anticipates introduction of legislation to limit availability of alcohol and packaging sizes – The Ugandan Health Ministry reportedly stated that more than 7.4% (1.2 million) Ugandans above the age of 15 are affected by Alcohol Use Disorder, which reduces their ability to control their consumption of alcohol despite negative impacts on their well-being. The Ministry cited a study conducted in Mbale, reportedly showing that 25% of children, ages 6 to 13, consume alcohol beverages. The article says that the government anticipates the introduction of legislation that will limit the hours during which alcohol may be sold, as well as the locations, and that will regulate small packaging sizes that “are enticing young people to consume alcohol.” The article states that the World Health Organization has said the situation in Uganda is “a pressing issue requiring immediate attention.”
United States: Consumer Reports offers tips on “how much alcohol is okay for you” – Although Consumer Reports observes that the World Health Organization declared that “when it comes to alcohol consumption, there is no safe amount that does not affect health,” this lengthy article notes that “your risk of adverse health effects may be small, depending on your health situation.”
European Union: Committee amends PPWR/wine falls outside reforms – The European Parliament’s Committee on Environment has reportedly amended the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), which includes the entire life cycle of packaging from raw materials through final disposal. A final vote is expected during the second November 2023 plenary session. Wine is reportedly the only alcohol beverage that falls outside the reforms.
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.