Officials within the Commission’s single market directorate had begun work on proposals to align duties across Europe. The plans would have meant a rise in beer duties of more than 17% in Germany and Spain in 2003, with complementary reductions in the UK over a longer period. However, a majority of commissioners have said they are opposed to the plans.
EU: Opposition sees beer and wine pricing plans shelved
Plans to move towards more even pricing of beer and wine in the European Union by increasing beer and wine duties in Spain and Germany and lowering them in the UK have been abandoned after internal opposition to the proposals within the European Commission.
September 9, 2002