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Industry bemoans 'April fool’s joke' as EPR introduced

Published:  01 April, 2025

Figures from across the drinks trade have reacted to the introduction of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation which came into effect today (1 April). The new policy which was intended to introduce a “polluters pay principle” regarding packaging waste has faced significant backlash from the drinks industry due to a series of perceived flaws.

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‘Nonsensical’ EPR rules will cost millions, say hospitality businesses

Published:  20 March, 2025

Under the umbrella of UKHospitality (UKH), leading pub and hospitality businesses have written to Defra Secretary of State, Steve Reed, pushing back against a significant flaw in the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme.

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EPR headaches: the key concerns surrounding the policy

Published:  10 March, 2025

The Extended Producer responsibility (EPR) for packaging scheme is yet another headwind in a now long line of challenges facing the UK drinks trade, with its implementation already well under way, but – some would say predictably – dogged by a lack of clarity and various unknowns.

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Drinks trade pushes back on ‘flawed’ EPR

Published:  28 February, 2025

The UK’s leading drinks trade associations have written to the government highlighting deep concerns over the Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging (EPR) scheme, while calling for a meeting with Defra.

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Global Scotch sales: Slight decline with £5.4bn exported in 2024

Published:  14 February, 2025

Figures from the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) reveals that the total global export value for Scotch whisky stood at £5.4bn for 2024. This represents a slight decline of 3.7% in exports by value compared to 2023.

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Hallgarten takes stock of growth having added 50% to turnover

Published:  28 January, 2025

Few followers of Harpers newsfeed could have missed the massive drive by Hallgarten & Novum Wines to bring aboard new agencies and staff in the wake of its acquisition by Coterie Holdings in December 2023. In the past 12 months alone, some 30 producers, along with 300 wines, have been added to the portfolio, backed by 30 new faces that have joined the team. And the upshot is a strengthened import and distribution business that is a serious force to be reckoned with, anchored by the investment and stability that Coterie has been able to provide.

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Fines loom for businesses yet to submit packaging data WSTA warns

Published:  10 April, 2024

The WSTA has issued a warning to hundreds of businesses ahead of May’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) deadline.

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