The Irish Brewers Association (IBA) has country manager of Molson Coors Ireland Keith Fagan as its new chairperson. The role of the chairperson became vacant when outgoing chairperson Maggie Timoney stepped down due to her appointment as CEO of Heineken USA.
Commenting on his appointment, Fagan said, “I am honoured to take on this role to chair an association that has represented Ireland’s brewers since 1904. The economic contribution of Ireland’s brewing sector is significant, and I look forward to both promoting the sector and working with Government and other stakeholders to address the issues facing beer producers in Ireland.”
Public Health (Alcohol) Bill
Fagan continued, “Looking at the legislative agenda, the beer industry clearly supports the overall objectives of the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill to tackle harmful and underage drinking, but the IBA is concerned by the proposed requirement for mandatory cancer warning labels to be added on all pre-packaged beer products. No other country in the world has mandatory cancer labels on alcohol products and, as the 8th largest exporter of beer in the EU, such a measure will damage those exports and the reputation that Irish beer enjoys around the globe.
“Forcing Irish beer producers to develop labels specifically for the Irish market and a second set of labels for elsewhere will increase complexity in the supply chain and impact the ability of many brewers, particularly those smaller craft brewers, to export. Equally, it will also pose a significant trade barrier for beer importers, as they will be required to create labels specifically for the Irish market, a small market in global terms and as a result some brewers may decide to stop selling to Ireland, thereby restricting choice for consumers.
“The IBA wants to work with government on this matter and urges it to reconsider its position on unnecessary cancer warning labels and for the brewing industry to be treated as the cultural asset it deserves to be, as is evident in other beer producing countries like Germany and Belgium.”
© 2018 Hospitality Ireland – your source for the latest industry news. Article by Dave Simpson. Click subscribe to sign up for the Hospitality Ireland print edition.
