Consumer group CAMRA is calling on the Government to launch an investigation into competition in the industry.
The Campaign for Real Ale has published a report urging the Government to change its mind about revoking the Beer Orders because it says it will stifle consumer choice.
But the Department of Trade and Industry, which announced the decision in February, told thePublican.com that its mind is made up and that the orders will be revoked.
"The decision has already been made," a spokesman said. "Now we are just looking at the finer details, how it will be drafted in legal terms."
But CAMRA has accused the Government of failing to assess the effects the decision will have on competition and consumer choice.
Spokesman Mike Benner said: "Both the brewing and pub retailing industries are consolidating at an alarming rate and the Government is proposing to scrap the only real legislative barrier to protect consumers.
"We predict that revocation of the Beer Orders will lead to more mergers among vertically integrated regional brewers, larger pub chains buying breweries and a global company buying a pub estate. Any of the above will undermine the intention of the Orders and leave thousands of consumers out in the cold with less choice in pubs."
Related articles:
Beer Orders axe could cut brewing jobs (22 March 2002)
Opinions from the trade on the withdrawal of the Beer Orders (21 February 2002)
What are the Beer Orders? (21 February 2002)
Beer Orders to be revoked (20 February 2002)