Alcohol, Estonia, EU – Baltic States, Legislation, Markets and Companies
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Friday, 29.03.2024, 11:23
EU Alcohol Policy Alliance applauds Estonian presidency re alcohol policy
"It is encouraging to see member states take the lead on alcohol
policy, and it is equally crucial that all the good work done at the national
level is not stopped by potential conflicts with EU Single Market rules.
Earlier this autumn, we witnessed public health prevailing over trade interests
in the landmark ruling regarding Minimum Unit Pricing of alcohol in
Scotland," the alliance said in a press release.
These Council Conclusions clearly show that there is a will to do more to
tackle alcohol related harm by member states of the European Union. It remains
to be seen whether Juncker's Commission will find a way to actualize these
Council Conclusions, the statement reads.
"We could not agree more with member states that if the industry
self-regulatory proposal, due by March 2018, is not following EU (Reg)
1169/2011 then a legislative proposal should be adopted and implemented as soon
as possible. It is high time for European consumers to finally be told what is
in their drinks. Having heard some disturbing rumors about QR codes, we are
very concerned that the industry is taking us all for fools," Mariann Skar, Secretary General of
European Alcohol Policy Alliance, said.
"These Council Conclusions prove once again that there is a conflict
at the heart of European alcohol policy. A strong need, and a strong ask by the
members states is met with hesitancy by the Commission. However, conflict is
better than silent denial. We are proud of the Estonian presidency for keeping
that conflict alive," Lauri
Beekmann, Executive Director of Nordic Alcohol and Drug Policy Network,
said.