Fearalcoholbill mayhitbreweries anddistilleries
THE Public Health (Alcohol) Bill, if implemented in its current form, will potentially have a negative impact on local breweries and distilleries, according to Powerscourt Distillery.
The distillery, which has to date invested €18 million establishing its operations on the Powerscourt Estate has warned that some of the measures in the Alcohol Bill are likely to bring unintended negative consequences on its business and others like it in Wicklow and beyond.
‘Of course we support the objectives of the Alcohol Bill which have been designed to help tackle harmful and underage drinking,’ said Alex Peirce, chief executive of Powerscourt Distillery. ‘Nobody should dispute that action be taken to tackle such issues. Some of proposed measures however, are likely to disproportionately harm local businesses without necessarily advancing the intended aims.’
He said that the distillery is investing in Wicklow, creating jobs and supporting the local economy.
‘ This summer we began distilling Irish whiskey and are looking forward to opening our visitor centre later this autumn. I don’t believe that the Government wishes to dampen this type of investment activity. ‘No other country in the world has mandatory cancer labels on its alcohol products. The proposed requirement for cancer-warning labels to be added to alcohol products from Ireland therefore, will impart negative reputational impact upon our industry. It applies a stigma to local products which must compete in fiercely competitive international arenas and is likely to result in Irish producers developing labels specifically for the local market and additional labels for overseas markets. This adds systematic cost and logistical difficulties for all.’
There are a number of drinks producers in Wicklow that will be impacted by the Alcohol Bill, which is due to return to the Dáil in the coming months, including Wicklow Wolf Brewery, Glendalough Distillery, Barr an Uisce and Powerscourt Distillery.
Patricia Callan of Alcohol Beverage Federation of Ireland said the body was concerned that cancer warning labels will have a hugely damaging impact on Ireland’s food and drinks industry.
‘At a time when the future of international trade is uncertain, with Brexit and trade wars, the Irish Government should not create an additional barrier to trade in the form of cancer warning labels. We are urging the Government to remove this requirement from the Alcohol Bill,’ she said.