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Brewing sector agrees to code of conduct for cafe contracts

12:05 02/07/2015

The brewing industry, drinks wholesalers and the drinks service sector in Belgium have agreed to sit down to talks with the federal government to negotiate a code of conduct for contracts with cafes, consumer affairs minister Kris Peeters announced yesterday. 

Peeters was speaking after the first meeting, which followed a plea from Horeca Vlaanderen, which represents the food and drinks sector, for a solution to what the organisation called “strangulation contracts”. Breweries that invest in pubs or that rent their own properties to pub proprietors often impose impossible conditions on the supply of beer and other drinks. Conditions include purchasing other products, like cleaning detergents or toilet paper, from designated suppliers – at above-market prices.

“All of the parties stressed the importance of balance in their relationship and a willingness to find a sustainable solution for the future,” Peeters said in a statement. “All of the partners have given their support today to a declaration of intent to draw up a code of conduct that must lead to real progress towards a healthy and balanced partnership.”

The parties have given themselves the deadline of 1 November to produce the document, which will then come into force on 1 January 2016.

Photo by Ittai De Vree / StampMedia

Written by Alan Hope