Tied Welsh pubs must have guest beer option, report says

Welsh pubs should have the right to stock a guest beer or cider, even if the UK government does not legislate on the beer tie, an Assembly committee report has recommended.

The report said the Welsh government must push the new coalition to implement the reforms recommended by Labour, which includes an option for a guest beer.

It said: "The committee believes that the beer tie as currently operated is preventing fair access to market for small and local producers, and needs to be reformed."

Members of the rural development sub-committee, who compiled the wide-ranging report on the drinks industry, also called for:

• Planning protection for pubs to be strengthened, including banning restrictive covenants and closing the loophole that allows pubs to be demolished without planning permission
• Greater protection for pubs of historical and cultural interest
• Welsh Government to highlight to the UK government the role minimum pricing could have in preventing irresponsible pricing by supermarkets
• Welsh government to develop a marketing campaign highlighting Welsh beer as a quality natural product

Committee Chair Rhodri Glyn Thomas said: "The key message that this inquiry has highlighted is that what is potentially an extremely lucrative industry for Wales is hugely under-developed and in need of direction."

CAMRA, which gave written and oral evidence to the committee, welcomed the report.

Chief executive Mike Benner said: "The recommendations are positive steps towards providing a sustainable future for the Welsh beer, cider and pub industries.

"It is hugely welcome that the championing of local produce and the preservation of Welsh heritage in the pub sector are emphasised, particularly at a time when many historic outlets are lost due to planning loopholes that allow pubs to be demolished without planning permission."

He added that CAMRA was looking forward to working with the Welsh to make sure the proposals were put into action.