Belgian Brewers’ protest against French tax nipped in the bud

France has violated no European law by increasing its excise duty on strong beers by 160%, according to the European Commission, despite a complaint filed by the association of Belgian Brewers. The Commission’s Directorate-General for Taxation and Customs ruled against the brewers’ protest and closed the file, report De Tijd, L'Echo and De Standaard.

The brewers had lodged their complaint with the Commission in April because the 160% tax increase on heavy beers was regarded as a protectionist measure, as the bulk of heavy beers consumed in France come from outside of the country. Wine, champagne and lighter beers such as lager, were spared from the tax increase.

The ruling is a big setback for the Belgian brewing world, for which France is the main export country.