Working for responsible consumption patterns: Beer and the Mediterranean experience

Brussels, 4 May 2010. The Brewers of Spain in collaboration with the Brewers of Europe organised an event entitled “Working for responsible consumption patterns: Beer and the Mediterranean experience”.

The event took place at the Permanent Representation of Spain to the EU in Brussels.

The aim of the seminar, according to the organisers, was to share the lessons learned through the work done on prevention campaigns in the south of Europe and to underline how beer plays a part in the Mediterranean diet and lifestyle.

The full programme of the event is available
here

Click here to the Brewers of Europe press release

The General Director of the Brewers of Spain, Mr Marañon, together with the president of The Brewers of Europe, Mr Alberto da Ponte, opened the event. They stressed the importance of the Mediterranean approach to beer and alcohol consumption, where alcohol is a part of the history, culture and lifestyle, and is a natural product in a healthy diet, always consumed together with food and social activities. Mr da Ponte had a clear message:

- defend the drinking patterns of southern Europe (from other European patterns)
- prohibition is counterproductive – teenagers want the things which are illegal
- the brewers have more credibility than other institutions when it comes to prevention

Some of the presentations highlighted the health benefits derived from beer consumption (Dr Ramón Estruch (University of Barcelona) and Dr Rosa María Sabatel López (Spanish Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists)). Different campaigns done in Spain were also presented: ‘La carretera te pide SIN' (The road demands you alcohol free) by Mr Ramon Ledesma Muñiz – the Spanish Department for Transport and ‘Los padres tienen la palabra (Parents have a Say) by Prof. Petra P. Alonso-Geta – University of Valencia).

The Directorate General for Health (DG SANCO) was represented by Mrs Isabel de la Mata Barranco who did the closing remarks. In her speech she emphasised the importance of all the stakeholders in the Alcohol Health Forum. She identified as the three most important pillars for action the prevention of alcohol consumption during pregnancy, youth drinking and drink driving. She went on to stress that binge drinking is also a problem in the Mediterranean countries and questioned whether enough had been done to address this issue. She reminded the audience about the new EU barometer showing the broad support for stronger policy measure on alcohol. She concluded by stating the importance of cooperation with the industry when it comes to promoting responsible drinking.