Consumer Beware…

Did you know, currently, there is a proposed piece of legislation in the House of Representatives which would create a Prohibition-like status for consumers, in respect to wine shipping and alcohol beverage control. H.R. 5034, entitled comprehensive Alcohol Regulatory Effectiveness (CARE) Act of 2010 will give the states and distributors total control and put an end to legal challenges to the “three-tier” system. (producer/winery – distribute – retailer).

The bill is introduced by the National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) with the support of the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) who are seeking to reverse over 40 years of jurisprudence and Constitutional protections with this legislation. These powerful forces are lobbying for their members who are composed of the mega-distributers’ who wish to control the industry and eliminate the fair trade rights of the consumer and small producer.

The bill will “allow states to completely disregard important Supreme Court decisions that protect against discriminatory alcohol beverage distribution…This legislation springs from an intra-industry dispute between producers and wholesalers. NBSA and WSWA are asking Congress to cede federal authority to states so that wholesalers can pass discriminatory and anticompetitive laws.” (Wine Institute, May 17, 2010).

What does this mean for you the consumer?

·     No more wine/club shipment sent to your door. Internet business would be abolished.

·     Drastically limit choices on products. The buyers market would be controlled by distributors whose interests are in the large corporate wineries. Making it illegal for most people to buy the over 200,000 wines now sold on the internet.

·     Higher prices as at the check-out register. Competition would be eliminated.