The National Wine Policy Bulletin
THE NATIONAL WINE POLICY BULLETIN OCTOBER 2013 In light of the federal government shutdown, WineAmerica will be releasing a special mid- month Federal Issues Policy Bulletin. This edition will address the status of taxes, the Farm Bill, appropriations, immigration reform, TTB funding, and food safety rulemaking. In the meantime, please review the limits of TTB operations during the shutdown, as well as our usual reports of issues from around the country. Please feel free to contact us with your questions and concerns. FEDERAL TTB: Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade with label reviews for quite some time now, and Bureau (TTB) has suspended all regulatory any suspension or services will only exacerbate functions, non-criminal investigative activities this problem. Meanwhile, all tax remittances and audit functions. This means that all reviews will continue to be processed by the TTB as of alcohol beverage labels, formulas and these functions are deemed necessary for permits will be suspended until funding is safety and protection of property. reinstated. The TTB has been bogged down THE STATES NEW YORK and related processes for all manufacturers (New York Wine & Grape Foundation) (wine, beer, spirits, cider) on both farm and Marketing and Promotions: Governor Cuomo commercial levels. The bill will be introduced has created a major TV and print advertising after the legislature returns in January. campaign in support of the wine industry under NORTHEAST the State’s new “Taste NY” brand. The ads will Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New be running from September through the end of Hampshire, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont the year to coincide with the peak selling season, and will largely be confined to New York MASSACHUSETTS State (in terms of TV) given the preponderance Direct Shipping: Massachusetts legislators still of sales which occur right at home.
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