Good news for real ale drinkers
CAMRA Budget 2002 comment
Issued Wednesday 17th April 2002
CAMRA, The Campaign for Real Ale has warmly welcomed today's Budget announcement that Britain's 350 small breweries are to benefit from a fairer system of excise duty. Mike Benner, Head of Campaigns and Communications said, "This is excellent news and we're very pleased that the Chancellor has responded positively after twenty years of campaigning. This will help even out the playing field for Britain's 350 small brewing companies which will promote competition and increase consumer choice."
Britain's 350 small breweries have less than 2% of the beer market, but they produce some 2,000 real ales to cater for local tastes. The four biggest global brewers have around 85% of the market.
A
progressive system
(follow the link for details) of beer tax will help:
1. Increase investment in small breweries which are often based in
rural or economically marginal areas
2. Improve cash flow - one of the biggest threats to small businesses
3. Create local jobs
4. Remove a major barrier to market entry
5. Be almost self-financing as multiplier effects come into play
6. Promote choice and diversity for consumers.
Mike Benner added, "Hopefully we will see a far more interesting range of locally brewed beers on pub bars from now on."
Beer Duty Freeze
CAMRA also welcomed the general freeze on beer duty. Mike Benner, Head of Campaigns and Communications said, "This is the second consecutive year that duty has been frozen which is effectively a small cut. We will continue to push for significant reductions in duty which will stamp out smuggling and help boost this important British industry." CAMRA had called for a duty cut of only 2 pence in this budget which would have been enough to significantly reduce the bootleggers' profit.
For more information
CAMRA BUDGET HOTLINE 01727 867201
Mike Benner (after 6pm) 07971 591224
Jonathan Mail 07720 724733
Tony Jerome
07801 706537
CAMRA has ISDN facilities - call us for an interview or for a local contact
CAMRA, 230 Hatfield Road, St. Albans, AL1 4LW
Tel: 01727 867201; Fax: 01727 867670; E-mail:
camra@camra.org.uk
Internet http://www.camra.org.uk/