Brussels, 10/12/2007 (Agence Europe) - On 6 December, the European Commission adopted a proposal authorising Portugal to apply a reduced rate of excise duty on locally produced beer in the autonomous region of Madeira. The beer must be made by independent local brewers, whose total annual production does not exceed 300,000 hectolitres. This derogation will remain in force until 31 December 2013.
Under the terms of the proposal, the reduced rate can only apply to production in excess of...