Trade slams health groups for ditching forum

The groups, known as nongovernmental organisations (NGO’s) have resigned from the forum – a platform for EU stakeholders to increase actions to reduce alcohol-related harm – to protest against the European Commission’s refusal to submit a new alcohol strategy.

Spirits Europe, the body which represents EU producers of spirits, denied the claim made by NGO’s that the forum “lacks efficacy”and said the strategy has been “positively evaluated” by external consultants to the Commission.

Paul Skehan, Spirits Europe director general, said: “Dialogue with those who have different views is never easy; but we think that dialogue is worth continuing, particularly if, as in the case of the forum, it is based on real actions on the ground.

“While we fully agree with the public health groups that alcohol related harms must be addressed in a serious, comprehensive manner at EU and national levels, we do not share the NGOs’ opinion that the idea of reducing those harms as part of a wider plan addressing non-communicable diseases is necessarily a bad thing.

“Without any details yet published by Commissioner Andriukaitis, it seems very premature to already dismiss such a strategy.  We have constantly called for a more holistic approach to addressing alcohol harm”.

Since the forum began, the spirits sector has supported 374 targeted initiatives across Europe – 146 of which are still ongoing – ranging from consumer information on responsible drinking guidelines, to better enforcement of the legal purchase age regulation and awareness campaigns for drink driving.

Skehan added: “Our commitments remain. Spirits producers will continue to work on meaningful actions to reduce alcohol-related harm with the Commission, member states, enforcement authorities, community groups, health-related organisations and partners down the value chain, indeed anyone who shares our commitment to change social norms for the better.”