Latest news with #DrinksIreland
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Trade bodies welcome Ireland alcohol health warning labels delay
The local and European drinks trade has reacted positively to Ireland's delay of implementing health warnings and calorie information on alcoholic beverages. Reports emerged last week indicating the government's intention to delay putting the legislation into force. Two senior government officials told Politico the move was being made due to fears of US tariffs affecting Ireland's drinks exports. In a statement to Just Drinks yesterday (23 July), the Department of Health said: "Following the Government's decision to defer the implementation of alcohol labelling requirements from 2026 to 2028, the Department of Health will arrange for the necessary amendments to the relevant regulations." National drinks trade body Drinks Ireland welcomed the delay. It said the move brings "much-needed relief" for producers, "and allows our exporters to focus their resources and efforts on market diversification and indeed, survival of their businesses". The Irish drinks sector is already facing "major trade uncertainty, new tariffs on product[s] entering our most important export market, the US, and threats of further tariff escalation", the association said, adding while Irish producers are focused on exports, they also require a "strong, competitive domestic marketplace". The country passed the legislation in 2023. It required alcohol producers to include health warning labels on drinks labelling information for alcoholic beverages. The labels were intended to highlight the risks of drinking alcohol and include information on a product's calorie content. They were supposed to come into effect from May next year. The labelling law which was to be implemented "as a unilateral national measure" would have seen packaging and labelling costs go up "by some 35%", according to Drinks Ireland. The trade body argued that the law should be implemented at the EU level "to maintain the integrity of the EU Single Market and avoid additional costs on Irish businesses versus our competitors". "Pushing through this unilateral change would have resulted in some businesses forgoing the Irish market, would have driven up the price of doing business for all drinks producers and would have impacted on the cost and choice for consumers." EU wine trade body Comité Européen des Entreprises Vins (CEEV) also welcomed the Irish government's decision, describing it as "an important opportunity to re-align regulatory efforts with EU law and the principles of the Single Market". 'Introducing a unilateral and disproportionate health warning on all alcoholic beverages sold in Ireland would have imposed significant costs and administrative burdens, especially for small and medium-sized wine producers, while undermining the integrity of the EU Single Market and legal framework," said Marzia Varvaglione, president of the CEEV. "Public health objectives must be pursued in a legally sound and coordinated way. Fragmentation only leads to confusion for consumers and unnecessary costs for producers,' she added. The CEEV filed a complaint to the European Commission on Ireland's new labelling laws when they were announced two years ago, it said, stating that the legislation went against "the Union's legal framework". 'This pause shall be more than just a delay, it is a much-needed chance to rethink how we ensure consumers are well-informed, while also safeguarding the legal and economic coherence of the European market,' Ignacio Sánchez Recarte, the secretary general of CEEV, said. 'Wine producers and consumers deserve rules that are balanced, evidence-based, and applied consistently across the EU.' Delay with "real-life consequences", says charity Local charity Alcohol Action Ireland however said it was "disappointed" by the delay, arguing that the legislation was a crucial part of Ireland's Public Health (Alcohol) Act (2018), which looks to reduce the negative effects of alcohol, and cut down national consumption. Dr Sheila Gilheany, the CEO of Alcohol Action Ireland, said: 'To say that this delay is a blow for public health in Ireland is an understatement. It is a failure of leadership and of democracy. "It's not just that Irish people are being denied their right to information regarding some of the facts about alcohol so that they can make informed decisions. It's not just that the government is allowing its own groundbreaking legislation to be undermined by the very industry it is designed to regulate. "This delay will have real-life consequences that will be felt by ordinary Irish people every day." "Trade bodies welcome Ireland alcohol health warning labels delay" was originally created and published by Just Drinks, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
Irish Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Irish Times
Drinks Ireland warned Taoiseach that alcohol health labelling plans seen as ‘trade barrier' by US
A drinks industry representative organisation warned Taoiseach Micheál Martin that plans for health labels on alcohol have been 'identified as a barrier to trade by the US' during a meeting sought to discuss the impact of US president Donald Trump's threatened tariffs. The meeting also heard that the industry was seeking a delay in the introduction of the planned labelling regime. The rules – which are to include cancer warnings – were due to take effect in May 2026. The Government decided on Tuesday to delay the measure for two years amid ongoing trade uncertainty. A report published by US trade representative Jamieson Greer's office at the end of March detailed what the United States regards as trade barriers worldwide. READ MORE The Irish plans for alcohol health labelling were included in a section on the European Union . The report notes that the US industry has 'raised concerns' that the intended unique labelling requirements in the Republic are in addition to EU-wide regulations and 'would be costly and may disrupt US exports within the EU single market'. Do Sinn Féin need to change tack after slump in the polls? Listen | 38:36 Drinks Ireland – part of business lobby group Ibec – met Mr Martin on April 11th, along with several alcohol producers. A note of the meeting released by the Department of the Taoiseach under the Freedom of Information Act says that Drinks Ireland highlighted how the labelling requirements were identified as a barrier to trade by the US. The note also said: 'The sector, while open to labelling requirements, was seeking some delay from Government on their introduction.' Mr Martin is said to have 'noted the comments of Drinks Ireland in this regard'. In response to an Irish Times query on the meeting, the department said that 28 of the 31 provisions in the Public Health (Alcohol) Act – which includes the labelling plans – have been started. These include 'major changes on advertising, sponsorship, retail display of alcohol, and alcohol promotions, as well as the introduction of minimum unit pricing. 'The Minister for Health is aligned with the Taoiseach, Tánaiste, and all Ministers on the need for a whole-of-Government response to trade and tariffs.' A Drinks Ireland statement said it welcomed the 'opportunity for ongoing engagement ... to avoid further escalation and to seek a negotiated resolution. The Irish drinks sector is export-focused, with €2 billion in annual exports, and the US market is critical for our members throughout the country.' The statement added that the sector is 'particularly exposed' to US tariffs. On Tuesday, Minister for Trade Simon Harris updated Cabinet on the ongoing trade talks between the EU and US to reach an agreement in advance of Mr Trump's August 1st tariff deadline. As part of this, Ministers were advised that the alcohol health warning labels would be deferred for two years to 2028, following concerns raised about the impact of their implementation in the current global trading environment. The delay is to allow industry, domestic and international, to prepare for their implementation. The Cabinet was told the decision follows concerns raised by domestic interests at the Government trade forum around the potential to undermine international competitiveness.
Agriland
19-05-2025
- Business
- Agriland
Irish Whiskey Association: Spirits sector ‘uniquely exposed' to tariffs
The Irish Whiskey Association, together with Drinks Ireland, has warned that the Irish and EU spirits sectors remain uniquely exposed, should no resolution of EU – US trade tensions be found. The organisations have recommended an immediate removal of all tariffs on EU and US spirits, allowing a return to the tariff-free environment in which the sector has 'found such success'. According to the Irish Whiskey Association, 95% of Irish whiskey is exported, and exports to the US are worth around €420 million per annum. Overall drinks exports from Ireland to the US total €865 million every year. The Irish Whiskey Association believes that the 10% US tariff on Irish whiskey is already costing Irish drinks producers thousands of euro every week. It said: 'This additional cost, coupled with a weakened dollar, is placing major pressure on the sector, and a swift resolution is required. 'The immediate cost implications, together with the deepening trade uncertainty, is negatively impacting markets and business for our distillers and drinks manufacturers throughout the country,' the association explained. Irish whiskey Both Drinks Ireland and the Irish Whiskey Association are encouraged by the fact that the European Commission has consistently sought to negotiate a deal and has engaged in discussions with their US counterparts in 'good faith'. The groups said: 'Irish whiskey, cream and poitín producers appreciate the consultation and communication both the European Commission and the Irish government has engaged in with affected sectors. '(We) hope that a satisfactory conclusion of these negotiations can be reached, as this would benefit all spirits drinks producers in Ireland.' 'A tariff-free environment has worked and will work best for the spirits sector. The spirits sector in both the USA and the EU remain interconnected, however this period of uncertainty and heightened trade tensions puts investments at risk,' they added. According to the Irish Whiskey Association, there are further threats which may impact on the competitiveness of the Irish drinks sector. It claims that Ireland is the primary importer of US casks in the EU, and that ex-bourbon and ex-American whiskey casks are an integral component of Irish whiskey.
Irish Times
14-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Irish drinks sector ‘uniquely exposed' if EU fails to get tariffs lifted
Ireland's spirits sector will be 'uniquely exposed' if the European Union (EU) fails to secure a deal on tariffs with the US, two prominent drinks industry groups have warned. The Irish Whiskey Association and Drinks Ireland said the current 10 per cent tariff on US drink imports from Europe is costing Irish drinks producers thousands of euro every week. 'This additional cost, coupled with a weakened dollar, is placing major pressure on the sector, and a swift resolution is required,' they said. 'The immediate cost implications, together with the deepening trade uncertainty, is negatively impacting markets and business for our distillers and drinks manufacturers throughout the country,' they said. READ MORE Irish drinks exports to the US are worth around €865 million a year while the US is the biggest export market for Irish whiskey. The Irish Whiskey Association says nearly 4.7 million, nine-litre cases of Irish whiskey were sold in the US in 2003. While the industry here is led by brands such as Jameson in the Republic and Bushmills in Northern Ireland, there are more than 40 distilleries now scattered across the island. Both drinks groups want an immediate removal of all tariffs on EU and US spirits, 'allowing a return to the tariff-free environment in which the spirits sector found such success'. 'From the introduction of zero-for-zero tariffs in 1997 until 2018 with the steel/aluminium dispute, the value of the spirits sector on both sides of the Atlantic experienced a growth of 450 per cent,' they said. 'The spirits sector in both the USA and the EU remain interconnected, however this period of uncertainty and heightened trade tensions puts investments at risk,' they said.
Irish Independent
11-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
‘Since January 20, the world has changed' – Distilleries pause production as uncertainty grows amid US tariff tensions
Pat Rigney, who co-founded Drumshanbo Gin-producer The Shed Distillery alongside his wife, Denise, said many of the country's distilleries were going through a tough time with most distilleries temporarily halting production. Pauses were happening across the industry, he added, hitting large and small distilleries alike. 'I think since January 20, the world has changed with the new US administration,' he said. 'That was then but now we are in a different world, a very uncertain world. 'I'm not sure if you are aware, but the vast majority of distilling in Ireland has paused at the moment due to the challenges.' Rigney, who chairs the industry group Drinks Ireland, added that The Shed had not stopped production. On the pauses, Rigney noted there would be downstream effects for others, highlighting that Irish grain growers, pallet manufacturers, and trucking firms could take a hit. While Rigney said he can't answer on behalf of the distilleries pausing production, he believes uncertainty caused by US tariffs brought these actions forward. He also noted 'heightened levels of competition' from other categories, like tequila and cognac, playing a role. Irish alcohol producers are currently subject to a 10pc levy on sales in the US, its largest export market. However, this is due to increase to 20pc should EU and US negotiators fail to strike a trade deal. Last week the European Commission re-tabled proposals to hit US bourbon whiskey sold to EU states with tariffs. Such a move could spark a furious response from Trump leading to greater levies for Irish alcohol firms selling to America. Woes in the whiskey sector have even led to insolvencies. Rigney called for the Government not to take the industry for granted. Several prominent Irish distilleries have reportedly paused or cut back production in recent months. ADVERTISEMENT Learn more In March, Jameson-producer Irish Distillers said it was pausing production at Midleton Distillery in Co Cork from April until summer. The country's largest whiskey business said it was 'adjusting its production schedule for a routine, periodic review'. Bushmills had also reduced production saying it was aligning its 'whiskey stocks with anticipated demand trends.' Last November, Waterford Whiskey entered receivership after failing to raise fresh funding. The receivership was extended in March due to it being a 'challenging' time to find a buyer. In February, Blackwater Distillery entered the Small Company Administrative Rescue Process (Scarp), a rescue mechanism for smaller Irish businesses. A rescue plan was approved last month following a meeting of the company's creditors. The Shed boss Rigney was speaking after the business behind his distillery, PJ Rigney Distillery & International Brands, released results for the year ended September 30, 2024. Profit fell to €2.43m, down almost €870,300. Rigney said this was due to increased investment and heightened costs, which had not been passed on to consumers. The business had sales of over €17.27m and depletions – a measure of the number of cases sold to retailers by a distributor – had increased, he added.
