Alcohol, Ecology, Latvia, Markets and Companies

The meeting was held to discuss regulations on sale of alcoholic beverages and Vejonis' proposal to halt sale of alcoholic beverages filled in plastic bottles. Vejonis said he had a high opinion of producers' decision to stop selling beer in large plastic bottles in line with Saeima's amendments to the Law on Handling of Alcoholic Beverages.

A ban on sale of alcoholic beverages in large PET bottles would not only reduce availability and consumption of alcoholic beverages, but also improve public health and reduce environmental pollution, emphasized Vejonis.

In turn, breweries' representatives told Vejonis that breweries supported the president's proposal in principle and would be ready to phase out alcoholic beverages filled in PET bottles.

Both sides agreed that phasing out beer filled in large PET bottles should be gradual, so the industry would have time to alter their production procedures and make necessary investments.