Beer

• Around 90% of beer sold in the UK is produced in the UK
• In the UK 28 million pints of beer are consumed every day, which equates to 100 litres per head each year - compared to 20 litres of wine per head.
• Beer is a traditional and wholesome produce made from natural ingredients.
• Over one-third of the UK barley crop is bought by UK brewers who are also major users of English hops.
• There are over 2000 different beer brands available in the UK and over 1.5 million pints a day are exported to over 120 different countries.
• UK brewers are industry leaders on environmental issues. Since 1976, energy usage per pint of beer produced has been reduced by 45%, water consumption reduced by 40% and carbon dioxide (greenhouse gas) emissions reduced by over 40%.
• The BBPA has entered into a Climate Change Agreement with Government, on behalf of brewing companies, making further stringent energy saving targets over the period to 2010 in exchange for an 80% abatement of the Climate Change levy on fuel. The industry achieved its first milestone target in September 2002 and all members of the Agreement were recertified for the next two year period.

TAX AND SMUGGLING

• Beer tax in the UK is simply too high. It encourages crime, not just smuggling and fraud, but illegal trading, selling to the under aged, violence and intimidation.
• The duty on a pint in France is around 5p compared to 35p a pint in the UK. This has led to around one million pints of beer a day crossing the Chanel from France, much of which is smuggled for illegal resale in the UK.
• Beer is a traditional and wholesome produce made from natural ingredients.