Pint-size wine to be allowed on cabinets from September – as doubts raised over demand | UK Information

Pint-sized bottles of wine shall be allowed on UK cabinets from autumn underneath new post-Brexit commerce guidelines – however doubts have been raised over their demand.

Enterprise minister Kevin Hollinrake stated seven modifications to pre-packaged wine sizes are on account of come into drive on 19 September.

Saying the date within the Home of Commons, he stated the measure will assist the “thriving” UK wine sector by offering alternatives for “innovation and better selection”.

However the SNP’s Patrick Grady stated the federal government ought to admit there may be “little to no demand or curiosity for this supposedly wonderful Brexit profit”.

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Faucet right here

The transfer to introduce the 568ml dimension of wine, to take a seat alongside 200ml and 500ml measures already obtainable, was introduced in December and hailed by ministers as a Brexit “freedom”.

Pint bottles of Champagne had been bought within the UK earlier than Britain joined the European Widespread Market and had been on cabinets till 1973.

However their manufacturing ceased as they didn’t adjust to EU weights and measures guidelines.

Mr Hollinrake advised the Commons: “The 568ml pint amount is certainly one of seven modifications in pre-packed wine sizes which can be anticipated to return into drive on 19 September 2024, supporting the thriving UK wine sector by offering alternatives for innovation and better selection.”

Nonetheless, Mr Grady stated that was “nowhere close to as definitive” as the federal government press launch from December, which was headlined: “Pints of wine stocked on Britain’s cabinets for the primary time ever.”

Mr Grady stated: “Not shall be stocked, not is likely to be stocked, not could possibly be stocked, to not be stocked – it implied that pints of wine had been and are available for purchase proper now in retailers throughout the UK.

“Will the federal government admit that the fact is there’s been little to no demand or curiosity for this supposedly wonderful Brexit profit and actually it is fully attainable pints of wine won’t ever be stocked on UK cabinets?”

Mr Hollinrake replied: “Effectively it is by no means tough to differentiate the fitting honourable gentleman from a ray of sunshine, is it?”

He added: “Our new post-Brexit powers present new choices, together with new laws which aligns present sizes throughout nonetheless and glowing pre-packed wine in order that each may be bought in 200ml and 500ml portions, which we all know there may be good demand for.”

The change comes amid concern over expensive new post-Brexit border checks for meals and animal merchandise, which have sparked warnings of upper costs and empty cabinets.

Learn Extra:
Warnings of upper meals costs on account of new post-Brexit charges
Returning to imperial measures ‘full and utter nonsense’

Mr Grady, the MP for Glasgow North, went on to say that “the Brexit dream of individuals quaffing pints of wine and invoking the spirit of Churchill was at all times a fantasy” and the “actuality is a Brexit nightmare of border checks, of lowered shopper selection and of enterprise closures”.

Enterprise Secretary Kemi Badenoch stated the transfer will enhance shopper selection, including: “If he does not prefer it, he does not have to purchase it.”

‘Sheer idiocy’

There shall be no authorized obligation for companies to promote the brand new sizes.

On the time of the announcement, WineGB chief government Nicola Bates stated: “We welcome the prospect to have the ability to harmonise nonetheless and glowing bottle sizes and we’re pleased to lift a glass to the better selection.”

Nonetheless some inside the business had been extra sceptical.

Liberty Wines founder David Gleave MW prompt there wasn’t enough demand for it, posting on X: “Sheer idiocy. It is mindless from a high quality perspective. And in many years of promoting wine, I’ve by no means been requested for a pint-sized bottle.”

The change comes after a wider post-Brexit overhaul of the UK’s measurement system was scrapped.

A authorities session final 12 months discovered 98.7% of individuals had been in favour of conserving metric items – prompting Rishi Sunak to desert Boris Johnson’s signature Brexit “dividend” of permitting British retailers to as soon as once more promote merchandise in kilos and ounces.