13/05/2008 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 8 May, the European Parliament approved the proposal authorising Portugal to apply, until 31 December 2013, a reduced rate of excise duty to beer brewed in Madeira (report by Sergio Marques, EPP-ED Portugal). For Portugal, this measure is indispensable for the survival of local breweries. Currently, Council Directives 92/83/EEC and 92/84/EEC (alcoholic beverage excise duties) allow member states to apply reduced rates, of no more than 50% below the...