The report was launched on 16 July 2012, by co-chairs Andrew Griffiths MP and John Healey MP. Andrew Griffiths MP,
said “Smuggling beer into the UK from France has become a highly profitable
business. As our duty differentials have
increased, so, it appears, has the scale of the trade in illicit beer. We’re not talking about chancers on day trips
in white vans, so much as organised criminal gangs shipping lorry loads of beer
through Dover every night, and netting £18,000 in duty alone, each time. It’s
hurting legitimate businesses, as it’s undercutting them on its way into the
supply chain, and once it has permeated the UK market some retailers are
stocking it unwittingly, and risking their licences and livelihoods in the
process. We came to the conclusion that introducing duty stamps would limit
choice, add complexity and confusion, and possibly face a challenge in the
European Union”.
Rt Hon John Healey MP, Co-chair, said “With perhaps one in
ten cans and bottles of beer on sale in the UK not tax paid, it’s clear that
the current system is failing to keep beer smuggling in check. New measures are
needed, but the evidence we heard points to the current proposals for tax
stamps as being neither proportionate nor targeted, and not necessarily
effective.”
He continued “There’s some dispute about the size of the
problem to be tackled, and we hope our report will spur all authorities and all
businesses with an interest in disrupting the fraud now to work together
closely to develop an agreed methodology for assessing it, and to collaborate
to defeat it. We’re calling on all
parties to up their game together”.
For notes of the evidence heard by the panel, please click on the relevant day's hearing under the 'Timetable and Evidence' tab.
For a copy of the full press release please click here
If you have any queries concerning the report or inquiry, please use the contact form or email Robert Humphreys, Secretary to the APPBG, at humhreysr@parliament.uk
