Many small breweries are considering pulling out of Scotland over liability and cost concerns relating to the countries new Deposit Return Scheme (DRS). Although the craft beer industry supports the eco-friendly program, craft breweries have concerns over the excessive sign-up fee each brewery must pay as well as potentially being liable for fines issued by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) if third-hand parties end up reselling any beers not under the plan.
Craft brewers are currently looking at how they might be able to support of the DRS initiative but without being liable for extra costs and potential fines. The new plan is set to go into effect August 1st.
The Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) chief executive Andy Slee told the Drinks Business that “it is down to individual brewing businesses to decide whether registration in the Scottish DRS makes financial sense for them, however with only around 80 small brewers having registered for the scheme – given its vast costs, complexity and lack of time to prepare – it is clear that many have voted with their feet.”
More on the story here.