The Government has asked for views on its plans for minimum alcohol pricing. The plans as proposed will double the price of traditional cider bought directly from the many small cider farms in the South West. It is our belief that if implemented, the traditional market for these local cider farms will end and they will be forced to close. Once these small farms are destroyed, the orchards which are an important haven for wildlife will also be pulled out. We visited Frank Nash at his farm next to Glastonbury Tor to seek his opinion. Frank is England's oldest working cider maker and has been making and selling cider for more than 80 years. Frank along with the dozens of small makers we talked to strongly believe that the farmhouse cider industry will be devastated if the government does not listen to its needs. Please take the time to spread the message as we need numbers and noise to lobby our MPs to negotiate an exemption and save the traditional small cider farmers and the orchards which are rightly treasured in the South West.
We are seeking exemption from the proposed law for cider brought from the barrel at its source. Please help us by signing the government petition. http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/32849
If we have 100,000 signatures we will guarantee a debate in parliament
