3.0 The Alcohol Beverage Industry

3.1 The alcoholic beverage industry has reacted in a hostile manner to the European Action Plan. The industry has organised its attack behind two main "social aspects" groups - the Amsterdam Group and the Portman Group. Aware of the European Union's new powers in the field of health, the Amsterdam Group published and distributed widely throughout the Union 'Alcoholic Beverages and European Society'. This report is an extended attack on the aims and approach of the WHO Action Plan.

3.2 In the UK, the industry's Portman Group has published 'A Commentary on the European Alcohol Action Plan'. This, like the Amsterdam Group report, accepts that reducing alcohol-related harm in Europe " is a very necessary and worthwhile objective",⁶ but then proceeds to deny the whole basis of the Action Plan designed to achieve this objective.

3.3 Using their influential and powerful base with departments of agriculture and trade at national and European level, these drinks industry front organisations are now attempting to extend such influence on the policies of financially hard-pressed health departments and organisations.