Europe delay hits full-pint proposal

Related tags Pint Dti

Proposed legislation may be hindered further by European referralThe Government faces a new obstacle in its fight to push through legislation forcing...

Proposed legislation may be hindered further by European referral

The Government faces a new obstacle in its fight to push through legislation forcing licensees to serve a 100 per cent liquid pint.

The legislation, proposed by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), may now have to be referred to Europe to be assessed under legislation governing free trade between member states.

While it is unlikely that Europe would object to the DTI proposals, the time it would take to gain European approval could severely delay the parliamentary process.

The DTI is also said to have agreed to a new regulatory impact assessment following complaints from the trade that it had not looked into the costs involved.

Trade and Industry Secretary Stephen Byers originally said he wanted the full-pint legislation in place by Easter. But following a large number of objections from the trade and criticism from the Small Business Service, part of the DTI, the decision has been delayed.

With plans for the next General Election already underway, it is thought that the Government may choose not to press ahead with the proposals.

The trade is also hopeful that a Cabinet reshuffle, inevitable after the election, could see Mr Byers moved and a more sympathetic minister appointed.

Several national newspapers reported last week that Mr Byers had been forced to reconsider after criticism from the Better Regulation Task Force, set up to monitor new legislation and prevent excessive red tape. The task force ruled in February that the legislation is unnecessary given trade efforts to self-regulate with a 95 per cent agreed minimum liquid pint and an agreement to top up on demand.

The new recommendations require licensees to serve an average of 100 per cent liquid pints over a minimum sample of 20 pints. This would force many publicans to introduce oversized lined glasses and could cost the trade millions of pounds every year through accidental overfilling.

Martin Rawlings, spokesman for the Brewers and Licensed Retailers Association, said: "We are against the measures as they stand. There were originally two proposals, one for a 95 per cent minimum which we supported and the 100 per cent one which we opposed. Obviously the delay is a positive sign but it may well depend on if Mr Byers is replaced after the election."

The cost would inevitably lead to a further rise in beer prices, although consumer association the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has backed the move, claiming that a recent survey showed over 80 per cent of the public supported the move.

Mike Benner, head of campaigns at CAMRA, said: "The industry has made a lot of unsubstantiated claims about the cost of this legislation but these are not backed up by any evidence. We have done several surveys that show strong public support for the measures.

"Who is standing up for the consumer in all this? CAMRA seems to be the only organisation representing the consumers' views."

A spokeswoman for the DTI said the Government was still considering responses to the consultation, which ended this month, and would be publishing its conclusions shortly.

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