Brewers face D-day on May 1

However, 2004 could prove to be even tougher for the sector, as following the abolishment of customs barriers on May 1, breweries will face competition from beer giants in Germany, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The national beer industry will have an uphill battle, as excise on beer in those countries is at present half of the Polish rate. Breweries are calling on the Finance Ministry to cut the excise tax by at least 30% to avoid a deluge of cheap foreign beer. The Ministry has promised a cut on May 1, but its size remains a big question mark. (Gazeta Wyborcza, p. 26) T.J.