Trade not invited to alcohol conference
A trade chief has criticised organisers of a Government-backed national alcohol conference for not including any speakers from the industry.
The Fourth National Alcohol Conference in Liverpool saw speakers from alcohol charities, police and authorities discuss issues around drink-related disorder.
It was organised by the Department of Health and the Home Office and civil servants were on hand to answer questions.
British Beer & Pub Association northern secretary Lee le Clercq hit out at the fact that there were no trade representatives speaking.
“Can you imagine a national conference on policing or the NHS without police or NHS involvement?” asked le Clercq.
“Many of the statements made by speakers were outdated and some were factually incorrect, but, unfortunately, there was little opportunity to challenge any of them.
“For example, all references to alcohol consumption ended in 2004, with no acknowledgement whatsoever of the steep decline since that date. An inconvenient truth perhaps.”
However, Le Clercq said there “was an almost universal understanding by speakers and delegates alike that the on-trade is no longer the problem it was once seen to be”.
The Morning Advertiser received no comment about Le Clercq’s criticisms from the Department of Health or the Home Office.
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