OTTAWA The Canada-Europe trade talks may be stalled on a number of controversial topics, but in one area wines and spirits theres been plenty of cheer going around.
Sources close to the trade negotiations in Brussels say the two sides have had a relatively easy time settling on rules governing wines and spirits, although European vintners likely still view wine producers in Ontario and British Columbia as receiving preferential treatment.
That hasnt prevented foreign wines from maintaining a dominant foothold on the Canadian market, however. Statistics Canada figures show imported wines made up about two-thirds of the $6.5-billion dollar market in the past year.
And European dominance isnt likely jeopardized by anything in the deal, given that the agreement so far in the sector either keeps the status quo or supplies a minor nod to European concerns.
Read more: No timeline on free-trade talks with EU, says Harper[1]
One change, which could theoretically result in lower prices on more expensive brands of wine and liquor, involves a technical change to the way Canada applies duties on imports from Europe.
Ontario and British Columbia have also agreed to freeze licences on independently operated stores that sell products that are made in their respective provinces.
As well, provincial liquor boards will be limited in the activities they can engage in beyond their provincial boundaries.
None of those things are significant issues for Canadian consumers, said C. J. Helie, the executive vice-president of the Association of Canadian Distillers.
Theres some benefits in the deal, in terms of increased transparency and making sure the rules are clear for everybody.
Europe requested a change in the way duties are applied, sources say, because exporters believe they have not always been consistently applied. As a result, Europe has asked that the value-added tax be applied on volumes of imports, rather than on the value.
The change is supposed to be revenue neutral overall, but it favours premium products, said Helie. If you add a six per cent tax on a bottle that sells for $100, it is much more than on a bottle that sells for $20.
It is not clear whether European producers of premium alcoholic beverages will pass on any savings to consumers, however.
Helie said the issue of private stores is a sore point with the Europeans because domestic wines sold there are subject to a very low tax none in B.C., and about six per cent in Ontario. By contrast, the average mark-up on wines sold at provincial liquor board outlets can range between 65 and 85 per cent, he said.
Its a huge tax break for the (provincial) vintners, which is the real reason why the U.S. and the EU have concerns, he said. Its not so much an issue of retail access, its that you are putting so much money into the jeans of these companies that they can use it to compete with foreign vintners.
But in essence, it cements the status quo, he said. Licences have been frozen for years under the Canada-U.S. free trade deal and NAFTA.
Still, there is no roll-back planned for the number of privately run stores in either province.
The agreement on wine and spirits is dependent on the two sides coming to an understanding on all agricultural items and there the two sides still remain far apart.
Canada is insisting that it get significant access to the European market for beef and pork, but producers in Ireland and France fear such a concession will have serious repercussions on their domestic producers, particularly since the U.S. is likely to insist on additional quota during its negotiations with the European Union.
As well, the two sides have yet to sign off on a number of other key sectors, including local preference levels for bidding on urban transit contracts.
But sources say the two sides have made progress in recent weeks on giving European suppliers greater access to Canadas hydro-electric sector, including opening up about 35 per cent of Hydro-Quebec contracts, currently valued at $390 million, to EU suppliers.
As well, Canada has agreed to raise the threshold for automatic review on foreign takeovers to $1.5 billion from $1 billion.
Analysts have speculated that with Europe preparing to launch talks with the United States, a bigger and more lucrative market, Canada risks being left on the sidelines if it does not conclude an agreement in the next several weeks.
During a news conference in London, Prime Minister Stephen Harper called the talks the biggest trade negotiations Canada has ever had in its history, but said there is no deadline for reaching an agreement.
We will not arrive at an accord until such time as we think we have the best accord we can get for the Canadian people, Harper said.
That will be what drives us the contents, not some artificial timeline.
The Canadian Press, 2013
References
- ^ Read more: No timeline on free-trade talks with EU, says Harper (globalnews.ca)
Resources:
Complete World Bartender Guide: The Standard Reference to More than 2,400 Drinks (Mass Market Paperback) tagged “wine and spirits” 2 times
Sat, 3 May 2008 16:38:01 GMT Complete World Bartender Guide: The Standard Reference to More than 2,400 Drinks (Mass Market Paperback)By Glade Smithe Buy new: $7.19188 used and new from $0.01 Customer Rating:
Customer tags: reference(2), wine and spirits(2), cocktails, drink recipes, bartending, spirits, classic cocktails, mixology, cherylg http://www.amazon.com/Complete-World-Bartender-Guide-Reference/dp/055329900X/ref=tag_rso_rs_edpp_url?ie=UTF8&creative=381421&tag=thedays-20
Father's Day Gifts For Dad.Wine and Spirits Style | SideDish
Dad loves the traditional tie, grill accessories, Home Depot gift card or simply enjoying a home cooked meal with his kids, however….a nice bottle of wine or. http://sidedish.dmagazine.com/2013/06/11/fathers-day-gifts-for-dad-wine-and-spirits-style/
Wine Kulers: Alcohol | Drink: A beer, wine and spirits blog
Two Thumbs Way Up Complex and ever-changing aromas of raspberries, dark cherries, smoke and black licorice. Intense flavors of dark chocolate, http://blogs.ajc.com/drink/2013/06/13/wine-kulers-alcohol/?cxntfid=blogs_drink
How To Make Perfect Wines and Spirits From Home! RESELL
2013-06-10T00:55:33.000Z
$0.01 (1 Bid)
End Date: Sunday Jun-16-2013 17:55:33 PDT
Bid now | Add to watch list
Crossed Hearts with Horn and Halo Rhinestone T-Shirt (Wine & Spirits)
2013-03-22T01:05:48.000Z
$14.95
End Date: Wednesday Jun-19-2013 18:10:48 PDT
Buy It Now for only: $14.95
Buy It Now | Add to watch list
Permalink to ‘Canada, Eu Toast Free Trade Agreement On Wine, Spirits’
Click here for more information about 'Canada, Eu Toast Free Trade Agreement On Wine, Spirits'.
How Is Malaysia A Place For Wine And Spirits? I will be going to Malysia for 3 years and i m and wine and spirits lover. Is wine and spirit readily available in Malaysia and what about the costs.
View CommentYes. Although it is not halal.
The few good places are in the supermarkets. Eg : Giant, Carrefour, Cold Storage, Tesco, etc… There’s a section for all these alcoholic stuff and pork since it is a Muslim country.
View CommentThere’s a few specialised stores for wine, like Tiffany’s.
An average wine bottle is about RM 60-120. Champagne is about RM200 ++ for really good ones.
Most of them comes from Australia and the US.
What Brand Or Kind Of Wine Will You Be Having This New Year? My Dad has this huge display of imported wines, spirits and the likes. So I really don’t know what he’ll “pick” for New Year’s Eve.
What about you?
View CommentI have been trying the wines from South Africa. They are reasonably priced, have nice labels, and, they taste great. Most liquor stores are carrying them now, some have a whole section.
Let this scroll through and it will show you some of the brands.
http://www.wine.co.za/
View CommentIs There Any Wine And Spirits Supplier In Dubai? I wonder if anyone know any wine and spirits supplier in Dubai?
View CommentWe are a trading company in China. We are looking for Cognac and
Whiskey.
Very few
in order to purchase, posses or deal with alcohol in the United Arab Emirates you have to have a special pass that basically says you are not muslim.
if you are in China, there are likely much easier and cheaper places to get Cognac (france, where its from) and whiskey (UK, America, & Canada mostly)
View CommentDoes Anyone Know A Good Website To Find Coupons? Perferrably Wine & Spirits And Some Hotels.? I’m throwing a party tomorrow and trying to spend as little money as possible. Does anyone know anywhere I can find coupons for Wine & Spirits or any liquor stores. Also if you know where I can find coupons for hotels (great if it was for Embassy Suites, Holiday Inn, or The Marriott).
Thanks so much….
View CommentTry SearchAllDeals.com. It searches 60+ deal and coupon sites all at once. Also check out its front page with hot deals online, updated by the minute…
Hope this is useful… Enjoy your party and your trip!
View Comment