SIBA reaches out to MEPs at Brussels reception
Mike Benner, SIBA managing director, with Ashley Fox, MEP for the South West of England
SIBA extended its influence among parliamentarians in Europe earlier this month when managing direct Mike Benner joined a reception in Brussels organised by the British Pub and Beer Group in the European Parliament.
The event was designed to relaunch the group following the European elections earlier this year and ensure that newly-elected MEPs in particular are fully aware of the contribution made by breweries and pubs to the UK economy. Following the visit, several MEPs joined the Pub & Beer Group, meaning that more than half of the UK’s 73 MEPs are now members.
Mike said, “Europe has a significant and growing influence on many aspects of alcohol policy including taxation, labelling and promotion, so we need to make friends in Brussels as much as in London.
“The MEPs I spoke to were genuinely interested in finding out about Britain’s independent brewers and several are now planning to visit a SIBA member in their constituency, so the visit has been helpful in building positive relationships with this influential audience.”
In Brussels, Mike was representing British beer and brewing alongside Christine Thompson of SABMiller and Christine Cryne of CAMRA.
The British Pub and Beer Group aims to “promote British beer and pubs within the European Parliament and celebrate the benefits they bring to communities across the UK.” It is a sister organisation to the All Party Parliamentary Beer Group, which is one of the most largest industry groups in Westminster, with around 400 members.
