New Zealand Winegrowers has welcomed today’s announcement of the introduction of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Improving Alcohol Regulation) Amendment Bill.
The changes proposed in the Bill include “commonsense measures” to streamline the licensing process and adopt a risk-based approach.
“For example, the proposals will allow winery cellar doors or restaurants with an on-licence to stock zero-alcohol wines to meet their licensing obligations,” says Philip Gregan, CEO of New Zealand Winegrowers.
“Currently, the licence holder is required to stock ‘low alcohol’ products containing no more than 2.5 percent alcohol.
“With the significant growth in zero alcohol wines (as well as beers and spirits), these proposals would now allow zero alcohol products to meet the licensing requirements.
“These proposals will help to simplify the licensing system for many businesses.
“We often hear from our members about the challenges involved in alcohol licensing.
“While it is important that there are guardrails in place around the sale and supply of alcohol, many of the current requirements have become overly bureaucratic and technical.
“The vast majority of New Zealanders consume alcohol responsibly, and the regulatory framework should reflect that.”
The proposals also make some changes to licensing procedures, including licence applications and renewals.
“The proposals would also reinstate procedural requirements in the law that ensure that objections to licence applications or renewals have an appropriate level of connection to the application,” Gregan says.
“The current law allows someone from anywhere in the country to object to a licence application or renewal.
“This is a sensible change that ensures that a business cannot have its licence impacted by unconnected objectors.”
Gregan said that regardless of the status of these proposals, New Zealand Winegrowers’ members who operate winery cellar doors and restaurants will continue to observe host responsibility practices.
“New Zealand Winegrowers acknowledges the work of Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee and Regulation Minister David Seymour, and of officials, in preparing this legislation.
“We look forward to engaging in the Select Committee process.”
Related content