By Martin Banks - 25th November 2009
We do not want to see people drunk
Rodolphe de Looz-Corswarem
Europe's brewers are on a direct collision course with the EU over possible plans for a new Europe-wide alcohol policy.
The warning comes ahead of a crunch meeting of EU health ministers on 30 November.
At the health and consumer affairs ministerial, the EU's Swedish presidency is widely expected to come forward with proposals designed to cut alcohol consumption.
These are likely to include minimum pricing policies, sales restrictions and discount bans in all member states.
The possible Swedish plans are backed by 12 European health and safety umbrella groups which issued a statement on Wednesday calling for stricter EU-coordinated alcohol policies.
The alliance, including the European Public Health Alliance, point out that alcohol consumption in Europe is two and a half times as much as the rest of the world.
They call on health ministers to "endorse the presidency initiative and to decide for more vigorous alcohol policies in order to effectively reduce injuries and violence due to alcohol."
However, the organisation representing Europe's brewing industry has warned against a "one-size-fits-all" approach to the problem of alcohol abuse.
Rodolphe de Looz-Corswarem, secretary-general of the Brussels-based Brewers of Europe, said, "We fully support the important issue of tackling alcohol-related harm.
"For it to be done effectively though, and for progress to be made, the focus has to be on actions at local level, in partnership with local actors and consumers, rather than one-size-fits-all EU policies being proposed.
"We believe it is the most effective way to successfully address this important health issue.
"We do not want to see people drunk, people harming themselves and others because of irresponsible consumption and neither does it do our image any favours.
"But in relation to moderate consumption, which the overwhelming majority of Europe’s citizens partake in, studies have proven that there are certain health benefits when it comes to this moderate beer consumption."
