Beer more expensive again due to government?
The government wants to increase the excise duty on beer by more than 50% next year. The government is thus making beer more expensive for everyone. The petition was last weekend www.stopextrabiertax.nl has started. It has already been signed en masse in just a few days. It currently has 20,000 signatures. The petition will be presented to the House of Representatives on October 17.
During Budget Day, the cabinet announced that it would increase the excise duty on beer. This increase is in addition to the change in the excise system as of January 1, which could result in an increase of more than 50%. As a result, a beer lover will quickly pay 30 cents more for, for example, a glass of tripel on the catering terrace.
CRAFT strongly opposed
CRAFT chairman Jos Oostendorp: ‘It is very sad to note that the government is talking about social security, but that the same cabinet has no regard for the social security of breweries. Now that many breweries are having great difficulty keeping their heads above water, I fear that the significant increase in excise duties as of January 1 could be the final blow for many breweries. Breweries play an important role in the local communities they are part of. Breweries are a place where people meet, employ many people and are often a major tourist attraction. This must not be lost.’
Dutch Brewers disappointed
Dutch Brewers chairman Fred Teeven; ‘At a time when life has become so much more expensive, the government is also making our beer even more expensive. And with it the beautiful moments when many Dutch people want to drink beautiful beers together. This cannot be the intention! It is beer that has connected people for centuries. Enjoying time should remain possible for everyone.‘
‘At the same time, the government is also pushing beer drinkers across the border with the double increase as of January 1. Not so long ago, cross-border shopping was limited to the immediate border regions along the German and Belgian borders, but now those border regions start when you cross the IJssel or Maas from the west!‘
Sign the petition
The petition on www.stopextrabiertax.nl is being signed and shared en masse. This will be presented to the House of Representatives on Tuesday, October 17 at 1:30 PM. A good time to make it clear to the House of Representatives that this increase in excise duties is at the expense of beer drinkers, our own breweries and everyone who works there. It also damages our beer culture, which is part of our Dutch heritage.