Labour’s John Spellar has urged the Commons Commission to buy and drink Australian wine in Parliament bars to “make clear that bullying doesn’t pay” in light of Chinese wine tariffs. The next review of wines sold in the House of Commons is not due until spring 2024, but evenso, drinks sales in Whitehall were a topic of discussion among politicians yesterday. Labour MP John Spellar addressed the house on Thursday 11 January urging colleagues in the House of Commons to support Australia by buying the country’s wines in Parliament. “As part of a dispute over Covid, China imposed particularly punishing tariffs on Australian wine with damage to their industry,” he said, referring to tariffs which have been in place since November 2020, imposing a charge of 107.1 – 212.1% on wine exports initially (the rates varied by company), which subsequently rose to 116.2 – 218.4% in March 2021. He went on: “So can I urge the Commons Commission to stand with our Australian friends and allies and prioritise buying Australian wine and encourage its use in our venues in order to make clear that bullying doesn’t pay.” Commons bars offer two Australian wines — a Chardonnay from Dry River and The Black Craft Shiraz from the Barossa Valley. In comparison, 10 white wines, one rosé and eight reds from France are on offer at its venues. Three English wines are also on the menu. Responding to Spellar, The Conservative Party’s Sir Charles Walker said: Of course if colleagues here wish
This Article was originally published on The Drink Business - Wine
