Suppliers of alcoholic drinks are up in arms against the health minister’s proposals to mandate cancer warnings on all alcohol products sold in Ireland, saying that the Irish “food and drinks industry will become a global pariah” if the measure goes ahead.

Minister Simon Harris wants to add cancer warnings to alcohol products through his Alcohol Bill, but the Alcohol Beverage Federation of Ireland describes the measure “as anti-small business and anti-trade” and says it will hit “jobs, innovation and investment, with immediate effect”.

ABFI director Patricia Callan (pictured) said: “As an industry we support giving consumers factual information to help them make an informed choice about their health. But this is exactly why a sweeping and heavy-handed ‘alcohol causes cancer’ statement makes little sense. Many studies on alcohol consumption show a J-shaped relationship between alcohol and health, whereby a low level of consumption can result in certain health benefits, whereas a high level of consumption is associated with increased health risks. 

"Focusing on one health issue alone, cancer, does not give a full or accurate picture to help consumers make an informed choice about their drinking.  The World Health Organisation report published last week showed that most alcohol-related deaths worldwide in 2016 were as a result of injuries. This was followed by digestive diseases, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, infectious diseases, followed by cancers.

“Warning labels should be proportionate to the risks faced by consumers, but cancer labels would not give consumers a proportionate view of the impact of alcohol consumption.  

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“The legislation already provides for a general health warning that will specifically warn against excessive consumption of alcohol. No other country in the world requires mandatory cancer warning labels and imposing such a label will cause substantial reputational damage to our quality brands by applying a stigma to products produced in Ireland.”

Amendments

Referring to amendments from TDs to exempt distillery and brewery visitor centres from the legislation and to take out the cancer warning, gin-maker Pat Rigney, founder of the Shed Distillery which makes Gunpowder Gin, said he favoured the amendments.

“I’m strongly in favour of these amendments as they will help protect rural jobs, the reputation of Ireland’s food and drinks industry and the economy as a whole.

“Since setting up in 2014, we have invested over €4 million in the local area. We are also investing €2m in our new visitor centre, which will drive local tourism and create jobs when it reopens. This continued investment and growth should not be put at risk. It’s vital that these amendments are passed in full to protect our rural and national food and drinks economy.”

Carlow Brewing chief executive Seamus O’Hara added: “About 22% of beer produced by Irish microbreweries in 2016 was exported to international markets. The continued growth of the sector is reliant on exports. Creating labels for individual markets would be unsustainable for breweries of our size. The health and wellbeing of our customers is paramount and we strongly feel it is the combined responsibility of breweries, publicans, off-licences, retailers and government to promote the positive message of moderation and balance.”

Clonakilty Distillery founder Michael Scully commented: “Earlier this year, we launched our new Minke Gin to the market, which would have been hugely challenging if the Alcohol Bill was in place as it stands.

“We expect to be launching our new visitor experience later this year, which over time will bring much needed extra business and revenue to the town of Clonakilty. If we are not able to advertise this without restrictions, our hands would be tied behind our backs before we even started, which is again why these amendments are important.”

Tullamore DEW global brand ambassador John Quinn claimed that the Bill’s provisions would mean his company could not direct tourists to their visitor centre. “We are growing our business around the world and our distillery and visitor centre are very important elements of that drive.," Quinn stated. "The Bill would not allow us to direct tourists to our visitor centre."