Yorkshire brewers are a big hit in Brussels

Yesterday I was delighted to attend a reception organised by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), and the British Beer Club in the European Parliament of which I am Chairman.

Some 60 beers from across the North of England were on display, and I am delighted to say that the lion's share were from Yorkshire. The Black Sheep brewery, Coors, Great Heck brewery, Morissey Fox brewery, Tiger Tops brewery, Wold Top brewery, the York brewery and the Yorkshire Dales brewery all brought their beers sample.

While the event was very well attended, with a number of Labour and Tory MEPs (though a distinct lack of any Liberal Democrats) it was particularly interesting to see three different classes of UKIP MEP at the event: ex-UKIP, suspended UKIP and a couple of remaining UKIP members (and equally surprising to see so many of them in Brussels but beer at least attracted them in a way that parliamentary debates rarely do!).

Although the reception itself was a fun and convivial occasion, there are several serious issues at the heart of the event. The British pub industry is in difficulties, not least because of the increasing availability of very cheap alcohol sold in supermarkets and corner shops, a practice which, apart from driving many small brewers out of the market, irresponsibly encourages binge drinking and damages the reputation of the drinks industry as a whole.

The All-Party Beer Group at Westminster, chaired by my local colleague, Selby MP John Grogan, has conducted a lengthy and detailed inquiry into the future of pubs and brewers in Britain and has just published its Community Pub Inquiry. One of their recommendations is for the introduction of a differential between the tax levied on draught beer and that on packaged beers. Consequently, John and the group will be meeting with the Commission today to discuss this and other ideas.

Last night's event should also serve as an eye-opener to our brewers of the massive export opportunities in other European countries. If you go into your local, you will probably find several Belgian beers available: yet only a few years ago, most of these beers were sold only locally in parts of Belgium. They have since managed to take full advantage of the common market and sell across Europe. British brewers have not yet managed this, despite the exceptional quality of many of our beers and, as was amply demonstrated last night, the sheer quantity and wealth of choice. Let's hope that last night which, in addition to British MEPs, researchers and lobbyists, was also attended by several Belgian and Dutch MEPs and drinks industry representatives, will help to change this.