UK to Relax Regulations on Beer and Bread Sales

The U.K. Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has announced plans to relax regulations governing the sale of beer, wine and unwrapped bread loaves. Science Minister David Willetts apparently confirmed the government’s intention to scrap laws stipulating that unpackaged bread “weighing more than 300g must be made up in quantities of 400g or multiples of it.” He also indicated changes to the beer and wine laws, which currently state that pubs and other premises cannot sell wine “in measures less than 125ml while beer must be sold in thirds, halves or multiples of half-pints.” Under the new rules, these businesses will be able to sell wine in measures under 75ml; beer in “schooners” that are equal to two-thirds of a pint; and fortified wine in smaller sizes of 50ml and 70ml.

“This is exactly the sort of unnecessary red tape the government wants to remove. No pub or restaurant should break the law by selling a customer a sample of wine. We have listened to consumers and businesses. They have called for fixed quantities to be kept but with greater flexibility,” Willetts said. The government plans to introduce a statutory instrument with these alterations during the upcoming Parliamentary session. See The Guardian, January 4, 2011.