Welsh Assembly backs Welsh brewers and pubs
8 July 2010
By CAMRA
This morning the Rural Development Sub-Committee in the Welsh Assembly issued its Report into the Wine, Beer, Cider and Spirits Industries. The Report highlights the importance that small breweries, cider makers and community pubs to the Welsh economy and community.
CAMRA provided both written and oral evidence to the committee, and is delighted that they have taken on board so many of CAMRA's recommendations.
Among the Committee's recommendations to the Welsh Government are:
- That authentic Welsh produce should be promoted by encouraging the cultivation of Welsh ingredients for beer and cider, and the Welsh Government should design a marketing campaign highlighting Welsh beer as a quality natural product
- That the Welsh Government should develop a logo that informs consumers of the provenance of genuine quality Welsh beer and cider
- That the Welsh Government should ensure that it is fully involved in any discussions at a UK level on the introduction of minimum pricing, in order to highlight the role minimum pricing could play in preventing irresponsible pricing by supermarkets which is threatening the future of community pubs.
- That if the UK Government does not ensure reform of the beer tie, the Welsh Government should legislate to give every pub in Wales the right to stock a locally produced guest beer or cider.
- That planning protection for pubs should be strengthened by ensuring consistent application of guidelines, by banning restrictive covenants and by closing the planning loophole that allows pubs to be demolished without planning permission
- That there should be greater protection for pubs of historical and cultural interest
- That progressive beer duty must be retained in order to sustain the growth of small breweries in Wales
This Report represents a great success for CAMRA, and we will be working to ensure that the Welsh Government takes these recommendations on board.
For more information, take a look at the Committee's full report.