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Document 92001E001029

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1029/01 by Bill Miller (PSE) to the Commission. Excise duty on alcoholic beverages.

OJ C 318E, 13.11.2001, p. 188–188 (ES, DA, DE, EL, EN, FR, IT, NL, PT, FI, SV)

European Parliament's website​

Date of document:
30/03/2001; Date of transmission
Date of dispatch:
30/03/2001
Date of reply:
30/05/2001; Written answer
Author:
European Parliament, Not available
Form:
Written question
Addressee:
European Commission
Parliamentary term:
Fifth legislature
Political group:
Socialist Group in the European Parliament

92001E1029

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1029/01 by Bill Miller (PSE) to the Commission. Excise duty on alcoholic beverages.

Official Journal 318 E , 13/11/2001 P. 0188 - 0188


WRITTEN QUESTION E-1029/01

by Bill Miller (PSE) to the Commission

(30 March 2001)

Subject: Excise duty on alcoholic beverages

The Commission has long considered the question of the application of excise duty to alcoholic beverages. Article 93 provides a legal basis for the introduction of harmonised structures for excise duties on alcoholic beverages so as to ensure the establishment and the functioning of the internal market.

Despite this, the Commission has failed to produce any proposals concerning the imposition of excise duty on alcoholic beverages. It is understood that a further study into this issue is being conducted. When will this study and the Commission's response be published?

Can the Commission give an assurance that it will not propose any measures or undertake any activities which would increase discrimination in favour of any one category of beverages and that it will continue to seek the introduction of a system which ensures that competition in the single market is not distorted?

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(30 May 2001)

As part of the preparation of the next report of the Commission on the levels of the minimum excise duty rates and the excise duty rates applied by Member States on alcoholic beverages, a study on competition between different types of alcoholic beverages has been carried out by a private consultant. This study has recently been finalised. Furthermore, the Commission is consulting all the Member States, as well as the interested health and trade organisations. This consultation process is now nearly completed. Based on all the information and opinions received, the Commission is drafting its report, which should be adopted during the coming months. As yet, no decision has been taken on whether or not this report should be accompanied by a proposal for a Directive changing the minimum rates of excise duty on alcoholic beverages.

The Commission cannot prejudge the outcome of the report. However, it can assure the Honourable Member that it has taken note of the positions expressed by trade organisations and Member States concerning possible discrimination between different categories of drinks and distortion of competition in the single market. These issues will be addressed in the report.

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