N.B. ends dodgy beer sales regulation
by The Canadian Press
The regulation forced some breweries to sell a minimum amount of beer in provincially run stores before selling any from the brewery
FREDERICTON—New Brunswick’s Crown liquor corporation says it has removed a new regulation requiring some breweries to sell a minimum amount of beer in provincially run stores after hearing concerns from the industry.
NB Liquor president Brian Harriman says the regulation, which required new breweries to sell at least 10,000 litres of their products through NB Liquor stores before selling beer from the brewery, was put in place to ensure quality.
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business slammed the regulation earlier this month, saying it inhibits small business growth.
Harriman says after discovering it may be a barrier for new breweries, the company decided to remove it.
NB Liquor says new breweries will be asked to send a product sample to an independent food inspection lab to ensure the beverage is safe.
The Crown corporation says they’ll cover the cost of the requirement.
Story filed by Fredericton radio station CKHJ
