By Martin Banks - 29th November 2011
Obviously, Barroso has not gotten the facts right
Andrea Lavesson
European commission president José Manuel Barroso has been accused of "promoting special interests instead of the welfare" of young Europeans.
The attack comes after Barroso last week attended an event organised by the Brewers of Europe, a group that representing the interests of Europe's brewing industry.
Barroso was criticised for "finding the time" to attend the Brussels gala and join the Brewers of Europe's "special interests".
In a keynote speech to the event, Barroso said he recognised the "important contribution" of the brewing industry to the European economy and the sector's economic added value, estimated to be €50bn.
His participation in the event, however, was been condemned by Andrea Lavesson, president of Active, the European youth temperance organisation.
Lavesson said, "The costs of the social harm caused by alcohol every year in the EU are more than twice that sum: €125bn."
"Barroso displays exactly the kind of thinking that got us into the crisis in the first place. Short-term profit thinking instead of long-term vision rooted in sustainable policies."
She went on, "The EU is the heaviest alcohol consuming region in the world.
"The economic consequences, let alone the social and democratic harm, of alcohol abuse are enormous. Productivity losses because of alcohol, including absenteeism, unemployment and premature death, amount to some €59bn per year.
"In the face of these facts, it remains a riddle how the commission president can say things like: "And indeed the commission looks to your industry as a key partner in pushing forward our growth agenda towards a more smart, inclusive and sustainable Europe, our Europe 2020 agenda."
She pointed out that the EU 2020 strategy contains five headline targets out of which three are related to alcohol harm.
It is estimated that 25 per cent of premature deaths of young men are alcohol related while 43 per cent of 15 and 16 year-old pupils report heavy 'episodic' alcohol use.
Active says that alcohol intoxication is linked to school drop-out figures while 16 per cent of all cases of child abuse and neglect involve alcohol.
In the EU today, there are nine million children and young people living in families with alcohol addicted parents.
"Obviously, Barroso has not gotten the facts right. Why would he show such misunderstanding of the situation of young Europeans?"
"The World Economic Forum, the World Bank and the World Health Organisation, joined by all EU members states have made it clear that alcohol harm is a danger for growth, people's health and societal development.
"Their recommendations are clear: raise taxes, ban alcohol marketing, decrease accessibility and protect the choices of youth who want to live free from alcohol."
Her comments were echoed by Peter Matjašic, president of the European Youth Forum, who said, "Unfortunately the commission has so far underestimated the role and power of youth organisations to protect young people, to combat the crisis and to strongly contribute to achieving the EU 2020 targets.
"The European Youth Forum and its members work for the general wellbeing of young Europeans.
"Through this work, we generate creativity, know-how and entrepreneurship which will lead Europe out of the crisis.
"It is this work that should receive attention and more support – for example through an independent youth in action programme – because here true inclusion, innovation and sustainability are generated."
Pierre-Olivier Bergeron, secretary general of the Brewers of Europe responded to the criticism, saying, "Europe's 3500 breweries create two million jobs, €50bn in taxes and €50bn in value added to the EU economy."
"Over a third of the EU alcohol and health forum's commitments" have been adopted by brewers, said Bergeron.
He also said that Barroso had recognised the work of brewers in the fields of "social responsibility, pioneering best practice, advertising self-regulation, and partnering on campaigns against alcohol misuse, including by youth".
"The brewing sector is proof that driving economic growth and supporting the EU's strategy against alcohol-related harm are not two contradictory activities."
