24/02/2014 (Agence Europe) - Reduced duty for French rum. The Competitiveness Council has given the go-ahead for France to levy reduced excise duty until the end of 2020 on traditional rum from four French overseas regions - Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique and La Réunion - sold in mainland France. The measure aims to remedy the competititive handicap suffered by the higher manufacturing and import charges due to the higher alcohol level (between 40° and 59° - higher than rival products). This tax incentive is cumulative, and must not exceed 50% of the normal excise duty on spirits. It is restricted to the first 120,000 hectolitres of pure alcohol a year. (FG/transl.fl)