IPC: we are true voice of pub trade
The newly formed Independent Pub Confederation (IPC) told MPs it represented the true voice of the pub trade at a meeting last night.
The IPC was speaking at a meeting of the All Party Parliamentary Beer Group convened to discuss the recent pub trade mediation
"The British Beer and Pub Association's failure to debate the issue openly with the IPC in front of MPs means that they have forfeited the right to be considered the voice of the publican," said IPC secretary Kate Nicholls.
"We stand ready to debate and work with any interested party — any time, any place, anywhere.
"The IPC is the body which is standing up for the long-term interests of pubs.
"We challenge the BBPA be clear about the changes they are proposing to deliver this.
"To date, they have yet to do so or even openly publish their revised code.
"In the absence of meaningful proposals on these issues, we can do nothing but concur with the Business and Enterprise Committee conclusion that that Government intervention in the market is required, including a reference by ministers to the Competition Commission."
The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) also made it clear that it rejected the Office of Fair Trading's (OFT) recent report.
"The OFT has spectacularly missed the point that restricted competition in the wholesale market will inevitably harm consumers," said CAMRA's Jonathan Mail.
"Their analysis established that prices in tied pubs were 8p a pint higher than prices in free of tie pubs but concluded that this difference was marginal.
"The OFT perversely excluded lower managed pub prices from this analysis; did not take into account that greater competition would bring down prices across the board; nor did they consider differing levels of amenity."
He added: "It appears that the OFT have misdirected themselves as to their responsibilities under the Enterprise Act 2002 and that they have failed to take reasonable steps to properly understand the pub sector.
"CAMRA is therefore lobbying Government to overturn the OFT's decision and to refer the issue of supply ties to the Competition Commission for a market investigation."
