CAMRA calls for abolition of duty on low-alcohol beer

05 August 2009 by
CAMRA calls for abolition of duty on low-alcohol beer

The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) is calling on the Government to abolish alcohol duty on all beer containing less than 2.8% alcohol to help lure people back into pubs.

The "People Pint" campaign could save punters 60p per pint of lower strength beer and help them drink sensibly, CAMRA insists.

Pressure group Alcohol Concern has expressed its support of the campaign.

Mike Benner, chief executive of CAMRA, said that zero duty on lower strength beers would be a win-win scenario for brewers, pubs, consumers and the Government.

"For the Government this is an opportunity to make it easier for people to drink responsibly while also supporting tens of thousands of job under threat as a result of falling beer and pub closures," he said.

The campaign, announced this week at the Great British Beer Festival at London's Earls Court, follows research by market analyst AC Nielsen suggesting that off-trade sales in supermarkets could overtake beer sales in pubs by next year.

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By Emma White

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