CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, meets with Special Advisor to the European Commissioner responsible for taxation across Europe today.
The meeting is to discuss the impact of the EU’s request to remove a tax exemption for small cider producers, which could land them with a bill of up to £2,700 each year.
It was arranged with the support of Anneliese Dodds MEP and Clare Moody MEP, and will be held in Strasbourg, France. CAMRA representatives, along with small cider producer Guy Smith from Somerset Cider Company, will meet the Special Advisor to ask him to withdraw this request and to consider the impact that the tax would have on the livelihoods of small producers across the UK.
Guy Smith, Owner of Somerset Cider Company, runs an established vineyard and is looking to restore an historic orchard.
“The legal change would make the restoration unprofitable without the tax breaks, and our business wouldn’t be able to grow,” he said. “The personal and environmental impact will be huge, so I look forward to meeting with the Commissioner’s Office to explain how this issue has a real impact on people’s livelihoods.”
Andrea Briers, CAMRA National Cider and Perry Committee Chairman added: “The European Union’s demand to impose this new tax on small cider producers will make production uneconomic and lead to wide-spread closures, seriously damaging a small but vibrant industry.”
The meeting follows the presentation of a 26,000 signature petition calling on the UK Government to act on this threat which was presented to Downing Street on the 10th June. CAMRA is still awaiting a response from the Government.
