Devon unites against cider tax increase

All over the Westcountry the cry is going up, "Save Our Cider!", nowhere more than in Devon, home of arguably the very best. The swingeing increase in duty announced by Chancellor Darling in Wednesday's budget will put as much as 15p on a pint in the pub, making what has always been the people's drink almost a luxury purchase.

Small local 'craft' cider-makers will be hardest hit. South Devon Camra's map of where cider is made in the county shows many still in business, but there are fears that the new tax will drastically reduce this number.

Locally, the Winkleigh Cider Company, makers of 'Sam's' Cider, were resigned, saying that there was nothing to be done, but nationally the campaign to save traditional cider is growing.  The Facebook page 'Leave our Cider alone!' already has over 30,000 members, while another prong of the attack is trying to get The Wurzel's song 'I am a cider drinker' to No.1 in the charts.

Devon County Council put out the following statement:

DEVON CONDEMNS TAX ON THE WESTCOUNTRY

Devon’s cider makers are set to experience further financial pressure with the budget announcement that alcohol duty on cider will increased by to 10%, compared to 2% on wine, beer and spirits.

John Reddaway, of Reddaways Farm Cider in Chudleigh, said: "We sell the cider as a sideline. We are a farm first and foremost so it's not going to impact on us as much as the bigger producers but it will have an effect on sales. Cider is a West Country drink and this is a tax on the West Country."

Councillor Will Mumford, Cabinet Member for Economic Planning and Strategic Regeneration said: “ Devon’s small food and drink producers have been struggling in this recession and have made great efforts to invest in their marketing and workforce to help their products find a wider market."

“It is therefore all the more disappointing to find that the budget effectively penalises these small businesses with a punitive levy, which could cause increased hardship in an already hard pressed rural economy."

Have your say here. Should we be protecting our heritage - or trying to prevent binge drinking??