The parliament gave its initial backing to two draft amendments to the Law on Alcohol Control on Tuesday. They will now go to parliamentary committees for further consideration.
The first draft bill suggests abolishing restrictions introduced in January to sell strong beer and other drinks, including cider, and other fermented drinks, in bottles larger than 1 liter and proposes waiting for amendments from the Ministry of Economy.
The second bill suggests banning selling strong beer only in PET drink bottles.
Proposals to lift the ban to sell strong beer and other drinks in bottles over 1 liter come in response to an investigation launched by the European Commission. The Association of Small Brewers turned to the Commission last spring asking it to rule whether the new Law on Alcohol Control does not run counter to the European regulations. The Association received a letter from the Commission, stating that the Law does violate the provision on the free movement of goods.
