Source: Brewers of Europe

14 October 2009. The Brewers of Europe together with Members of the European Parliament, European Commission representatives, industry and the media celebrated the official re-launch of the European Parliament (EP) Beer Club – an informal cross-party grouping of parliamentarians committed to the well-being of the brewing sector.

Delivering the official opening speech at the reception for the new EP Beer Club, the Secretary General of The Brewers of Europe, Rodolphe de Looz-Corswarem said: “We are delighted to see so many well-known faces but also many new faces around the room. It is a very challenging period for Europe’s brewing sector in the regulatory and economic world, and I hope the EP Beer Club can play its role in informing about all the issues that are affecting our sector and facilitating exchange between the European Parliament and the brewers.”

Since its foundation in 1995, the EP Beer Club has developed into one of the biggest cross-party groupings in the European Parliament. In the last legislature, the club listed more than 200 members. “We are confident to reach the same number of MEPs supporting our sector in the new term and we are committed to making our exchanges even more regular and useful,” de Looz-Corswarem said.

According to the Brewers of Europe, the EP Beer Club was set up to foster a greater understanding of the brewing sector within the European Parliament while encouraging the sector to pursue its work as a responsible stakeholder in the EU alcohol and health debate.

Speaking on behalf of the EP Beer Club members, Marianne Thyssen, Belgian MEP since 1991 and President of the Club, said: “I am happy that I have been asked to continue in my role as the President of the EP Beer Club and would encourage more of my colleagues to join the club. The production and selling of beer secures millions of jobs, many of which within SMEs; many activities and events wouldn’t be possible without the sponsoring of the beer sector and not to forget the social effect of enjoying a beer over dinner with friends. Hence, the issues relevant to the brewing sector are relevant to us all.”

Cecilia Giertta, Secretary General of the Swedish Brewers Association, referred to the tradition of linking the EP Beer Club receptions to the country that is currently holding the rotating EU Presidency. “I am hoping that all of you use the unique opportunity of the EP Beer Club to learn more about issues affecting our sector. The EU is currently holding deep discussions about how to solve the issue of alcohol abuse and the Swedish Presidency has declared a priority to reach conclusions on how to tackle the issue. The brewers very much welcome the efforts made by the authorities in this area and would like to be part of these discussions.”