International

The European Parliament this week voted by a large majority to approve a new strategy on alcohol. A proposal originally intended to improve information to consumers regarding the food value of alcoholic drinks has become a far-reaching health policy aimed at alcohol abuse. This is the umpteenth attempt by the European Union to grab more powers.

Public health is and must remain a national responsibility. These were the grounds on which the SP's Euro-MPs voted against the resolution, as Anne-Marie Mineur explains: 'Alcohol can have very damaging consequences for health, but why does that problem have to be tackled at EU level? For me that's puzzling. In the Netherlands we have worked to combat alcohol-related problems and the priority is to continue that.'

SP Euro-MP Dennis de Jong adds: “Of course we aren't against stipulating what should go on the labels, or tightening up the rules to ensure better information. Certain health warnings and other information which are important for the consumer must simply be accessible in the framework of the internal market. But demands on the small producer, such as independent brewers, must be reasonable. This proposal goes far too far and we have absolutely no need for it.'