WSTA bites back.

(From Off Licence News)

I write in response to Steve Barton's letter of March 21 regarding the Budget and the totally unjust onslaught the industry is receiving from the BMA, other anti-alcohol lobbyists and certain sections of the media and the negative impact on the wine and spirit industry.

Steve's lack of comprehension as to just how much has been done by Jeremy Beadles and the whole of the WSTA team is apparent. If he knew just how much had been done he wouldn' have even thought, let alone asked, Jeremy to "stand aside".

I share his disappointment, but it could have been much worse. Just prior to the pre-Budget report last October there were strong rumours "we" were heading for a 30% increase on wine duty - we have been told to swallow a 9.2% increase on wine, beer, spirits and cider. This by a Chancellor who is trying to manage inflation at below 3% per annum. What is most concerning, allowing for cost and duty increases, is that wine is likely to rise on average 30p-50p a bottle in the next year and this will almost certainly drive the wine category into negative growth and probably negative tax earnings for the Treasury. An interesting economic policy. The WSTA Budget strategy this year has focused on the consumer and anticipating the Chancellor ...