Camra campaigns against EU rules on draught beer duty

The Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) is driving an initiative to persuade the EU to amend rules preventing the UK Government from lowering beer duty for draught beer served in pubs.

Leading the campaign is John Grogan MP, chairman of the influential Parliamentary Beer Group, who has tabled a Parliamentary Motion calling on the UK government to seek a change to the European Union rules.

The European Commission has reportedly indicated that it is willing to consider changes to current EU rules and a review process is expected later in the year.

Mike Benner, chief executive of Camra, said: "A lower rate of duty on draught beer sold in pubs would represent a golden opportunity for the Government to address the disparity between supermarket and pub prices, a problem directly associated with pub closures.

"This proposal would encourage a shift in alcohol consumption back to the regulated environment offered by well-run community pubs. This proposal would also stem the loss of community pubs and thereby reverse the decline of community life."

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By Emma White

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