SMALL BREWERIES' RELIEF

Early day motion 1955, tabled 30 March 2006 by Greg Mulholland (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 138 members.

That this House endorses the current system of small breweries' relief that has helped small brewers to compete with larger brewers who enjoy greater economies of scale of production, and has enabled small brewers to invest in gaining access to market; notes the importance of small and independent brewers for consumer choice, competition, tourism and local employment; recognises that independent brewers producing between 60,000 and 200,000 hectolitres are too large to benefit from small brewers' relief yet too small to benefit from the substantial economies of scale of production of the global brewers; further notes that 13 EU countries provide small breweries' relief for all independent brewers producing up to 200,000 hectolitres; and therefore urges the Government to consider an extension of small breweries' relief to benefit all independent brewers producing up to 200,000 hectolitres.

Signatures by party: Labour 77, Conservative 33, Liberal Democrat 26, Plaid Cymru 1, Scottish National Party 1.