Thursday, 28 March, 2024
HomeMedico-LegalCape High Court dismisses liquor ban application by wine industry body Vinpro

Cape High Court dismisses liquor ban application by wine industry body Vinpro

The Western Cape High Courtʼs ruling on Tuesday dismissing the wine industry bodyʼs application against the liquor bans was a blow and a disappointment to Vinpro, said the organisation.

The non-profit body, representing some 2,600 SA wine producers, cellars and industry stakeholders, launched its application when the liquor ban was put in place in January. However, its application was heard only in August.

In its challenge, Vinpro argued that the national government was the wrong level of the state to deal with decision-making regarding the sale of liquor during the state of disaster. It said the decision should be taken by provincial governments. Businesss Day reports that Vinpro also argued the implementation of the nationwide bans was too broad, unnecessary and unjustified.

It said on Tuesday (7 December), the High Court had found that the wine industry bodyʼs application was moot, as the regulations have since changed. The court also ruled each party should be liable for its own legal costs.

Vinpro MD Rico Basson said they were disappointed, and that the governmentʼs “unwillingness to consult and lack of transparency regarding the empirical data used in decision-making” had caused irreversible damage to the wine and tourism industries.

“The [wine] industry has lost more than R10bn in sales revenue, seen significant job losses and suffered international reputational damage. The only way for wine-related businesses to recover and rebuild is by creating an enabling environment for sustainable growth,” he added.

It reserved the right to again approach the court on an urgent basis should it be deemed necessary, Vinpro said.

 

BusinessDay article – Wine industry body Vinpro loses bid to overturn lockdown liquor bans (Open access)

 

See more from MedicalBrief archives:

 

Judgment reserved in Vinpro application on liquor ban

 

Alcohol sales ban ‘requires national not provincial response’

 

SA’s alcohol industry hits back at its fourth lockdown ban

 

 

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