Dear Editor,
I refer to your editorial appearing in the 4th July edition of the Stabroek News, `Alcohol warnings’. Allow me to associate myself fully with your remarks in relation to the impact of the harmful use of alcohol on society, and more specifically on the family. As Chairman of Demerara Distillers Limited, and Chairman of the Rum Industry body WIRSPA, I can categorically confirm that this is a key concern for us as we intensify our efforts to reduce excessive and harmful drinking.
In the conversations we have begun to have with stakeholders across the region this issue has been raised consistently. No more so than in Guyana. As indigenous companies, and as part of the society, we who work in the industry and live in our communities are only too aware of the impact on society of antisocial behaviour exacerbated by over-consumption.
We hope that the decisions we have taken as a group to better communicate to consumers what they are drinking is an important step, but just one step on a long road. We believe the solutions will only be arrived at through a collaborative partnership of governments, industry and other stakeholders, working with communities.
We have chosen to focus our labelling initiative on our domestic markets for good reason. The labelling requirements in these markets are more flexible, compared to the developed market economies, and these are also where the bulk of our products are sold. We therefore have a primary duty to do the best we can in these markets. We also hope that this initiative will serve to encourage other beverage alcohol producers to also play their role.
I would also note that our products, which already meet the generally very exacting regulations in overseas markets, are required to adhere very closely to those regulations.
In closing we thank you for your active attention to this important issue and as we move forward in partnership.
Yours faithfully,
Komal Samaroo
Chairman, WIRSPA
