Hearings Set for Wednesday on H.R. 5034: Wholesaler Protection Act

Tom Wark of Fermentation writes:

The House Judiciary Committee will hold hearings on H.R. 5034, known to some as the "Wholesaler Protection Act, on Wednesday, September 29 at 11:00am Eastern Time.

The hearings will be streamed live via the House Judiciary website at this URL:

http://judiciary.house.gov/hearings/hear_100929.html

The bill, now in its second iteration thanks in large part to the extraordinary and nearly universal condemnation of its effects and intent, is opposed by producers of beer, wine and spirits,, opposed by beverage importers and opposed by wine retailers. In addition, a number of public policy groups have come out opposed to the bill. It appears that within the wine industry only alcohol wholesalers support the bill. It happens that they also wrote the bill and if it passes would fine themselves in a position to further stifle competition and alcohol distribution reforms that aren't entirely favorable to them.

To read his full article outlining the potential impact of the passage of the act, visit here.