Europe’s brewing industry to meet in Helsinki in June
The entire European brewing industry will meet in Finland when the Brewers of Europe holds its General Assembly in Helsinki on 9 June. The brewing industry is a notable employer and generates considerable tax revenue for European states.
Beer generates EUR 42 billion in tax revenue for European states every year – a sum equivalent to the entire tax revenue of Hungary. The brewing industry plays a key role in job creation, which is one of the main objectives of the EU’s growth strategy, Europe 2020.
The livelihoods of more than two million people in Europe are dependent on the sale and production of beer. One job in a brewery indirectly creates 17 new jobs, that is, about one per cent of total employment in the EU: 2 jobs in agriculture and transportation, 2 in retail, and 13 in bars, pubs, cafés and restaurants that serve beer.
“Breweries are proud of the significant role they play in the European economy. Breweries create jobs in the value chain and increase trade both within and outside the EU. A business-friendly policy will enable breweries to improve the general competitiveness of the European economy and promote sustainable growth,” says Pierre-Olivier Bergeron, Secretary General of the Brewers of Europe.
Success in the brewing industry is heavily dependent on industrial and alcohol policy. Competitive taxation is a common requirement for all of Europe’s breweries.
“Fair and reasonable taxation will benefit the entire value chain ‘from grain to glass’ and thereby the entire European economy. We need to ensure that taxation remains at a competitive level, so it doesn’t fuel cross-border trade in Europe,” says Bergeron.
A strong beer boom throughout Europe
Europe is currently experiencing a strong beer boom. The brewing industry is renewing itself and new breweries are being established. More than 3,000 new breweries have been established in Europe during the 2010s. Appreciation for beer has risen.
“This marvellous Europe-wide trend can also be seen here in Finland. Appreciation for beer has risen, and beer is increasingly becoming an accompaniment for food. It’s important for society at large to take note of this, and vital that we eventually get the new Alcohol Act into force,” says Elina Ussa, Managing Director of the Federation of the Brewing and Soft Drinks Industry.
Beer is an important element of European identity – of its cultural traditions, society and economy. In recent years, beer production and its value chain have been experiencing growth in Europe.
The Brewers of Europe is a non-profit umbrella organisation that promotes the united interests of about 7,500 breweries around Europe. The organisation was established in 1958 and unites national brewers’ associations from 29 European countries. The Federation of the Brewing and Soft Drinks Industry has been a member of the Brewers of Europe since 1995. The Brewers of Europe is also a founder member of the EU Alcohol and Health Forum.
Additional information and interview requests:
The Brewers of Europe’s Pavlos Photiades (Chair), Pierre-Olivier Bergeron (Secretary General) and Jan de Grave (Communications Director) will give interviews to the media in Helsinki on 7–9 June.
Interview requests:
The Federation of the Brewing and Soft Drinks Industry
Managing Director Elina Ussa, tel. +358 (0)45 269 7711
Communications Manager Outi Heikkinen, tel. +358 (0)50 370 8677
www.panimoliitto.fi, www.kohtuullisesti.fi, www.maljasuomelle.fi
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http://www.panimoliitto.fi/en/europes-brewing-industry-to-meet-in-helsinki-in-june/
The Federation of the Brewing and Soft Drinks Industry promotes the interests of producers of beer, cider, long drinks, soft drinks and mineral waters in Finland. Its members are Captol Invest Oy, Oy Hartwall Ab, Olvi Oyj, Red Bull Finland Oy, Saimaan Juomatehdas, and Oy Sinebrychoff Ab. The Federation of the Brewing and Soft Drinks Industry is a member of the Finnish Food and Drink Industries Federation.
