 Download EBCU Manifesto 2009-2014
CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, is today celebrating the publication of the European Beer Consumers Union Manifesto, which calls upon the EU to:
- Preserve and promote Europe's beer and brewing heritage
- Support Europe's well-run pubs and bars
- Protect European beer consumers' rights!
CAMRA will be writing to European election candidates asking them to endorse this manifesto.
The European Beer Consumers Union (EBCU) was formed in Bruges in May 1990, and is now a federation of 13 European beer consumer organisations*.
EBCU currently has a combined membership of over 120,000 members, with the common aim of representing the interests and views of beer consumers across Europe. Beer is the national drink of many member states in the EU, with beer being brewed in Europe for many thousands of years.
Mike Benner, CAMRA Chief Executive, speaking at the release of the publication, said:
‘In the UK, responsible pub-goers have been penalised by a 20% increase in beer duty since the start of 2008, therefore CAMRA wholeheartedly backs EBCU's idea of lower excise duty on beer sold in pubs.'
Benner continued:
‘Beer is a product that generates billions of euros and pounds each year in tax revenue, and the beer and brewing industry's value to the European economy is truly significant- the industry contributes a staggering 57.5 billion euros annually!'
Other points contained in the manifesto include an equal treatment for beer in relation to wine, and raising the awareness of beer as a natural agricultural product. One of the objectives looks to emphasise the need for greater parity in relation to financial support for malting barley and hop growers compared to their wine industry equivalent.
The manifesto also stresses the need for the EU to review its strategy on reducing alcohol-related harm. Benner concluded:
‘There needs to be a greater awareness that the responsible consumption of alcohol in well-run, licensed premises reduces the risk of alcohol misuse, and subsequent social disorder. What this ground-breaking manifesto re-iterates in a similar fashion to past CAMRA campaigns is that beer is inextricably linked with our past, and we should be proud of our rich European brewing heritage.'
ENDS
Notes to editors:
*EBCU was formed in 1990 by member states from Great Britain, Belgium and the Netherlands, with the three founding members since being joined by groups from Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Poland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, France and the Czech Republic.
EBCU is a non-political organisation formed to co-ordinate the European activities of the European national beer consumer organisations.
EBCU is open to all non-exclusive national organisations of beer consumers, which are independent, and represent the consumer interest.
European brewing facts and figures
- Beer has been brewed in Europe for over 3,000 years
- Number of breweries in Europe is over 3,000
- EU brewers produce 416m hectolitres of beer annually
- The beer and brewing industry contributes 57,500,000,000 euros to the European Economy annually
- Member states receive at least 39,000,000,000 euros a year in tax revenues
- 50% of the world's hops are produced in Europe
For further information:
CAMRA Press Office, 01727 798443
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