24/10/2018 (Agence Europe) – On Wednesday 24 October, the MEPs approved by a large majority (556 votes to 51 and 23 abstentions) the draft report for the opinion by Miguel Viegas (GUE/NGL, Portugal), advising the Council to adopt the updated rules on the excise duty structure applicable to alcohol. The EPP amendment aiming to exclude ingredients added after fermentation from the measurement of the 'degree Plato' – which is used to calculate the taxable base – was adopted by a small majority. This will help avoid discrimination against flavoured beers, according to the Brewers of Europe (see EUROPE 12112). The 'degree Plato' is still the subject of debate among the member states, according to a European source. However, technical discussions are making slow progress and the Presidency of the Council has still to decide whether the text will be discussed by the December 'Ecofin' Council. (MF)