Sejm discusses amendment to law governing cost of alcohol sales permits

Parliament is considering an amendment that would allow government to charge large stores higher fees for alcohol sales permits. Under both the government's and the deputies' drafts of the amendment, the cost of an alcohol sales permit would be set as a percentage of yearly alcohol sales in the given outlet. "The change is necessary, since leaving things as they are now would cause several small and medium sized firms to fall," said sector representative Michal Dabrowski. Under the deputies' proposal, put forth by the Civic Platform (PO), an alcohol sales permit would cost 0.6% of yearly sales. Alcohol distributors fear that the government's draft, which generally sets higher fees for the permits, would not only harm smaller shops, but would also force supermarkets to transfer the costs onto the suppliers. (Puls Biznesu, p. 10) M.K.