— last modified 30 April 2015
spiritsEUROPE noted the adoption of the European Parliament Resolution on the Future EU Alcohol Strategy. In particular, the Parliament?s focus on tackling alcohol harm rather than on alcohol consumption per se is correct, and MEPs’ emphasis on the contexts and patterns of alcohol consumption are also very welcome.
“We welcome the Parliament’s interest and we welcome the majority of the proposals they make,” said Paul Skehan, Director General of spiritsEUROPE. “We support the MEPs’ calls for better research, for better collection of data and for sharing evidence. In particular, the spirits sector applauds the Parliamentarians’ call for appropriate strategies to tackle the problem of alcohol counterfeiting as well as illegal and black market sales of alcohol.”
The spirits sector has contributed to 374 initiatives aimed at tackling harmful use of alcohol across the EU since the inception of the European Alcohol and Health Forum in 2007. Working to address harm at local level, in partnerships with local police, licensing authorities, ministries for health and others, is producing results.
Skehan concluded “We are pleased the European Parliament invites the Commission to build on the good work achieved over the last 8 years and we will continue to play our part to foster a culture of responsible drinking in Europe”.
