Beer chain ‘vital to UK’s rural economy’

From barley and hops to barmaid and publicans, both brewers and farmers say the beer supply chain is vital to Britain’s rural economy and needs to be protected by reviewing beer duty and cutting regulation.

In the Grain to Glass document, produced jointly by the National Farmers’ Union and the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA), it is claimed that the beer supply chain is one of “the nation’s unsung success stories during the economic downturn”, responsible for about 270,000 rural jobs and more than £3.5bn in wages.

It says the Government needs to act to ensure its continued success by cutting red tape and by reviewing the impact that the beer duty has on the rural economy.

NFU President Peter Kendall said: “Beer and pubs are the beating heart of the British countryside, vital to the local community and rural tourism industry.

“But they are also an important market for farmers. Sales of malting barley for brewing and distilling will be worth almost £400m to British agriculture this year, while the home-grown hop industry, after a long period of decline, is also showing signs of a revival, thanks to the real ale revolution.

“It’s in all our interests – not just farmers, brewers and publicans – but anyone who cares about this country’s economy and countryside or who simply enjoys a glass of beer – that we sustain the ‘grain to glass’ supply chain and that’s what this campaign is all about.”

The study also calls for more investment in crop research and development and for planners and local authorities to recognise the importance of the pub as the hub of rural communities.

Malting barley is a popular crop for Yorkshire’s farming community and the region’s 25 local breweries are widely celebrated.