Molson Coors backs barley farmers
Molson Coors has written to 60 MPs across the UK to challenge the duty escalator on beer by highlighting the relationship between barley farming and brewing.
The letter said rural jobs are under threat if the government presses ahead with the “crippling” tax hikes.
Molson Coors has set up a Growers Group to ensure a regular supply of British barley and offer barley farmers some stability.
Supply chain director Lee Finney said: “The group’s original purpose was to ensure that farmers around the country receive a just deal for their grain, and can plan ahead in the knowledge that their barley will be at a fair price.
“Its function has since been expanded to secure a sustainable supply of high quality malting barley from barley growing regions of the UK, to provide value to all parties, and to implement best practice and innovation in the supply chain. The group’s growers now supply barley for some of our biggest brands including Worthington’s, Coors Light, Grolsch and Cobra, as well as Carling.”
Finney added: “This mutually beneficial relationship could be under threat thanks to a crippling beer duty escalator which continues to persecute beer and pubs in Britain, in turn impacting employment and growth in the rural economy.”
