Alcohol warning labels delayed over concerns from US tariffs

Two years ago, then health minister Stephen Donnelly signed into law a bill mandating that alcohol containers carry warnings about risks of liver disease and cancers from excessive consumption. Picture: iStock

Warning labels on alcohol are set to be delayed amid concerns over tariffs, the Tánaiste has indicated.

Two years ago, then health minister Stephen Donnelly signed into law a bill mandating that alcohol containers carry warnings about risks of liver disease and cancers from excessive consumption. The move was touted as a "world first" by Mr Donnelly and had a three-year lead-in time.

It had been anticipated that labels will direct the consumer to the HSE website, askaboutalcohol.ie, for further information.

“This law is designed to give all of us, as consumers, a better understanding of the alcohol content and health risks associated with consuming alcohol," Mr Donnelly said at the time.

"With that information, we can make an informed decision about our own alcohol consumption.

Packaging of other food and drink products already contains health information and, where appropriate, health warnings

"This law is bringing alcohol products into line with that."

However, speaking in the Dáil on Thursday, Simon Harris said the laws must be considered in light of US president Donald Trump's proposals to hit EU alcohols with huge tariffs.

Asked by his party colleague, Naoise O Muirí, about the timetable Mr Harris said: "We do need to consider the timeline for implementation. We find ourselves in a very new trade environment and we always say we have to try to control what we can control. 

"This is certainly something that at least merits consideration when we hear the concerns expressed. I believe this falls into that category.

"I am not in a position to say today what exact decision the Government will make, but I can say that the timeline around implementation is certainly under consideration."

Concern for sales

In March, Mr Trump said he would impose a 200% tariff on European wine, champagne, and other spirits if the EU goes ahead with a tariff on American whiskey from April 1.

Those tariffs have since been postponed, but the drinks industry in Ireland has argued that the labelling of alcohol to be exported would hurt sales.

More than 40% of the €1bn in Irish whiskey exports went to the US last year, making it a major market for Irish distillers.

Earlier, during leaders' questions, Mr Harris had defended his Government's record on workers rights.

It is not "credible" to suggest the Government is anti-worker, he told both Labour's Ivana Bacik and People Before Profit's Paul Murphy.

Mr Murphy had said that Ireland has a national minimum wage of €13.50 an hour,  which is less than the living wage, "a wage which makes possible a minimum livable standard of living" but that "the road to that living wage is getting longer under this Government". 

Mr Murphy had accused the Government of abandoning workers, a charge Mr Harris denied.

There was no statutory sick pay scheme two years ago. There is now

"There will be auto-enrolment in terms of pension provision from next January, thanks to the work of this Government," he said.

"We are moving towards a living wage. We have the second-highest minimum wage in Europe. It has risen by more than 33% over the past five years."