Brussels, 01/04/2015 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 31 March, the European Parliament's environment (ENVI) committee adopted the resolution for an alcohol strategy by 63 votes in favour, four against, and one abstention. The co-rapporteurs are Alberto Cirio (EPP, Italy), Glenis Willmott (S&D, United Kingdom), Marcus Pretzell (ECR, Germany), José Inacio Faria (ALDE, Portugal), Younous Omarjee (GUE/NGL, France) and Piernicola Pedicini (EFDD, Italy).
The resolution underlines the importance of the responsibility of both consumers and alcoholic drink producers in the consumption of alcohol and calls for cultural traditions to be respected, whilst protecting public health. “Responsible alcohol consumption that is compatible with a healthy lifestyle is part of our heritage. It is imperative that the latter is protected because many jobs, as well as know-how, are at stake”, said French EPP MEPs Angélique Delahaye, Françoise Grossetête and Michel Dantin. The resolution asserts that abusive alcohol consumption must be tackled - a cause of many direct deaths (diseases) or indirect fatalities (accidents). It emphasises prevention and education, particularly for young people. The text will be voted on during April's plenary session.
In a draft resolution adopted on 29 January (see EUROPE 11245), the European Parliament expressed its great disappointment at the European Commission's lack of ambition. The Commission has still not presented any proposal on renewing the European alcohol strategy adopted in 2006, which is due for re-evaluation. The Latvian Presidency has included the fight against alcohol abuse in its health agenda and this theme will be discussed at the next informal health ministers' meeting in Riga on 20-21 April.
In a press release, the Brewers of Europe association reiterates its support for targeted action against the abuse of alcohol by a minority of consumers and backs strengthening the mechanisms envisaged in the European alcohol strategy. Taking note of the MEPs' calls for action on informing consumers more about the content of alcoholic drinks, the Brewers of Europe reiterates its recent decision to list ingredients and nutrition information on drinks voluntarily, in line with the new EU rules on nutritional labelling for food and non-alcoholic drinks. Nine public health, doctors' and patients' groups have expressed their regret in a letter to MEPs responsible for this issue that the amendments are too much in favour of the industry, to the detriment of public health (see EUROPE 11278). (Isabelle Lamberty)