Colm’s cheap wine

While indicating that new duties on imported wine will take effect from New Year’s Day, Imbert told Senators, “Cabinet decided to waive the application of the duties until December 31, to allow businesses who import wine prior to the Cabinet decision, to retail it at the old subsidy.” He said this decision was taken following representation by groups and individuals in the business community. The minister further indicated that in the past, importers of boxed wine enojyed the benefit of, “an almost zero duty” because they did not pass the benefits on to consumers. “So Cabinet took the decision to regularise this situation and make the duty on wine, the same for all types of wine,” Imbert said. Noting that a free market situation exists in this country, Imbert said, “So the Cabinet took the decision to regularise this situation and make the duty on wine, the same for all types of wine.”