Statement

CEGROBB believes that any alcohol temperance policy should focus on preventing alcohol abuse. Therefore, CEGROBB is a proponent of sound instruction for youth regarding responsible alcohol use. CEGROBB rejects a general advertising ban for beverages containing alcohol. CEGROBB also advocates a Europe-wide maximum blood alcohol level of 0.05% for road users. Furthermore, CEGROBB is in favour of maintaining the existing outlets for beverages containing alcohol.

Arguments

CEGROBB supports policies focused on prevention of alcohol abuse, because:

• many anti-alcohol measures have not resulted in the desired effect; CEGROBB, therefore, also rejects these measures.

CEGROBB is also in favour of a uniform European maximum blood alcohol level of 0.05% for road users, because:

• it would promote unambiguous compliance with and enforcement of regulations.

CEGROBB also advocates maintaining existing outlets because:

• it is important for maintaining employment in the industry and thereby the continuation of the industry.

Statement

CEGROBB supports the current European competition policy when it contributes to the maintenance of a balance of power between manufacturers and wholesalers. The current European competition policy prevents abuse of power, thereby fostering diversity in products and brands and contributing significantly to strengthening of the wholesale sector and maintaining and increasing employment in the sector. CEGROBB rejects the idea of member states interfering in or deviating from the European competition policy, the national procedures have to be in harmony with this. CEGROBB is of the opinion that the beverages wholesalers, on behalf of their functions, have an important corrective function on the effects of industrial concentration. To the European Commission, CEGROBB stresses the importance of the wholesalers and their role in the intercommunity trade , all in the interest of the final consumer.

Statement

CEGROBB is a proponent of harmonisation of deposit rates, particularly by means of issuing new deposit rates. CEGROBB thus advocates a realistic level with a maximum of 70% of the value of a new packaging, Also the amount of the deposit has to be of a sufficiently high level to motivate the consumer to actually return the packaging.

Arguments

CEGROBB is a proponent of harmonisation of deposit rates because:

• CEGROBB rejects the principle of intercommunity trade on the basis of inequality in deposit rates;
• it promotes the standardisation of returnable packaging.

CEGROBB is a proponent of a realistic level (with a maximum of 70% of the value of a new packaging) for deposits because:

• it motivates the manufacturer to collect returnable packaging;
• this motivates the consumer to return the packaging;
  – it therefore keeps the price to the end purchaser down.

Statement

CEGROBB advocates harmonisation of taxes and duties on beverages and packaging in general.
CEGROBB is in favour of a European-wide implementation of the lowest tariff valid in one of the member states on wines, beers, soft drinks and waters (in some cases this means the 0%-tariff). CEGROBB dismisses the discriminatory action resulting from the levying of taxes and duties on particular categories of beverages; CEGROBB is in favour of greater uniformity in regard to beverage tariffs. CEGROBB is also of the opinion that tax on deposit money should be lifted.

Arguments

• CEGROBB rejects the principle of intercommunity trade on the basis of inequality in taxes and duties.
• CEGROBB is of the opinion that beverages containing alcohol should not serve as ‘cash cows’.
• CEGROBB is of the opinion that tax on deposit money promotes the use of single-use packaging and can thereby hamper the achievement of collection objectives to a serious degree.

Statement

CEGROBB takes the view that in the revised European Packaging Directive, at least the current percentages per Member State for reuse and recycling must be maintained. Minimum percentages for reuse and recycling per packaging type must be included for countries that still lag behind the current generic EC objectives. CEGROBB also supports research into further optimising and expansion of refillable and recyclable packaging.

Arguments

CEGROBB is of the opinion that maintaining at least the current reuse and recycling percentages per Member State will contribute significantly to:

• reducing the burden on the environment;
• promoting product diversity;
• promoting employment;
• promoting and stimulating innovations.