DIGI calls for Budgetary support here as in UK

Following the recent Budget in the UK which froze duty on spirits, the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland has noted the decision by George Osbourne to support the Scottish whisky industry by removing the alcohol duty escalator in the Budget and it has called for similar measures here.

The DIGI statement read, “Mr Osbourne stated that the Scottish whisky was a huge British success story and that he wanted to support its continued success.
 
“We would call on the Irish government to consider our own domestic success stories and to support indigenous products such as Irish whiskey, beer and cream liqueurs in a similar manner and support the 62,000 people that are directly employed by the sector.”

The UK Chancellor had acknowledged in his budget speech that excise increases are not an equitable means of addressing alcohol misuse, claimed DIGI and that a more targeted approach is more effective.
 
“DIGI fully supports the introduction of a targeted approach to alcohol misuse and has sought time and again to work with government in order to assist in the development of a meaningful strategy to misuse,” concluded DIGI’s statement.