'Publish code in next 24hrs or we will'
Publish your new code of practice in the next 24 hours or we will — that's the challenge to the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) laid down by the anti-beer tie Fair Pint campaign.
The warning comes following last night's closed meeting of the All Party Parliamentary Beer Group.
The BBPA gave a presentation of its new Framework Code of Practice on the Granting of Tenancies and Leases to MPs (Pubcos set out 'fundamental reform' plans), agreed to by the BII and the Federation of Licensed Victuallers Associations (FLVA).
However, the BBPA has yet to publish the code in full.
"In order to ensure that we have an open and transparent debate on the future of the industry Fair Pint has challenged the BBPA to publish the details of their agreement with the BII and FLVA," said Fair Pint founding member Steve Corbett.
"If the BBPA is unwilling to be open about the contents of the agreement within the next 24 hours, Fair Pint will publish the agreement in full on our website."
It is thought that Fair Pint has obtained a copy of the code agreed to by the FLVA and BII and believes it is not bound by the confidentiality agreement of the mediation process.
Corbett added: "The industry has shown itself to be incapable of reforming itself and Government intervention though a reference to the Competition Commission is the only way in which meaningful reform will be delivered."
It is understood that the agreement has been finalised but the BBPA is focusing on writing detailed guidance on each point for members — much in the same way Government produces legislation and then provides guidance.
The code will be mandatory for all BBPA members from 1 January 2010. "Everyone is aware of the headline elements of the code," said BBPA director of communications Mark Hastings.
"The full and final version will be available for presentation to and for scrutiny by MPs on the Business Innovation and Skills Committee (formerly BEC) in early December."
