2024-11-03 04:00:00
Emmanuel Macron, is presented with the 2022 personality of the year prize from “La Revue du vin” by its editor-in-chief, Denis Saverot, in Paris, January 6, 2022. CHRISTOPHE PETIT TESSON / AFP
Newly appointed Minister of Health, Aurélien Rousseau plans to increase taxes on alcohol for prevention purposes from August 2023. “You can’t do this to me!” »replies Thomas Cazenave, his colleague in charge of public accounts. He makes it a personal matter: there is no question of offending the wine growers, in particular those from his electoral lands in Bordeaux.
Matignon arbitrates in favor of the latter, and the government, which is working on the next Social Security budget, is then accused by prevention associations of giving in to pressure from some 59,000 French wine farms. A sector whose the ministry of agriculture estimated turnover at 15 billion euros in 2022.
Neither the effects on health nor the delicate budgetary situation have so far called into question the tax advantage enjoyed by wine compared to other alcohols. A situation which is partly explained by the presence of allies of the vine in all political camps and in all organs of power. Ministers of health follow one another, powerless in this issue which is unlike any other. “I am not in favor of increasing taxes on wine, there are other public health levers”assumes today with the Monde Thomas Cazenave, once again became a simple deputy (Renaissance) of Gironde in September.
It is above all to spare the wine sector that the State has been reluctant, for years, to toughen up the fight against the harmful effects of alcohol, responsible, according to the Ministry of Health49,000 deaths per year. A position shared by the Elysée, where Emmanuel Macron himself claimed to drink wine “lunch and evening” and refused to “annoy the French” with overly ambitious prevention campaigns.
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During the first five-year term, the President of the Republic made Audrey Bourolleau, former boss of the Vin et société association, the main wine lobby in France, his agricultural advisor, leaving her to defend the interests of the sector from the palace .
Asked in January 2019 about a possible increase in taxes on alcohol, the Minister of Agriculture at the time, Didier Guillaume, allowed himself to BFM-TV a very personal analysis of the issues: “Wine is not an alcohol like any other”and where is it? “never seen a young person who leaves a nightclub and is drunk because he drank Côtes-du-Rhône, Crozes-Hermitage [ou] burgundy, never.”
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**Interview with Aurélien Rousseau, Minister of Health**
*Date: November 3, 2024*
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Monsieur Rousseau. As the newly appointed Minister of Health, you faced considerable pushback regarding the proposed tax increases on alcohol for health prevention. How do you justify this move, especially in light of the significant influence of the wine industry in France?
**Aurélien Rousseau:** Thank you for having me. It’s true that the wine industry is a vital part of our cultural heritage and economy, particularly in regions like Bordeaux. However, public health must remain our priority. The data is clear: excessive alcohol consumption has profound health consequences, and we must take steps to mitigate these risks.
**Interviewer:** Critics argue that increasing taxes on wine could harm the livelihoods of many farmers. How do you plan to balance public health initiatives with economic impacts on these communities?
**Aurélien Rousseau:** It’s a delicate balance, indeed. We are not proposing to tax wine disproportionately compared to other alcoholic beverages. The intent is to create a more equitable framework that considers the health implications of alcohol consumption. We’re committed to supporting farmers through transition programs and providing them with resources to diversify their products if necessary.
**Interviewer:** In past discussions, some government officials seemed to resist this tax increase, citing concerns from the wine sector. What steps are you taking to ensure that public health takes precedence over political pressure?
**Aurélien Rousseau:** I am aware of the political sensitivities at play, and I acknowledge the historical hesitancy to adjust alcohol taxation. However, my focus is on data-driven policy-making. We intend to consult widely with health organizations, local communities, and the agriculture sector to develop a cohesive strategy that emphasizes health without disregarding the needs of our agricultural economy.
**Interviewer:** The current excise duties on alcohol vary significantly, with still wines taxed less than spirits. Do you think this system will evolve under your leadership?
**Aurélien Rousseau:** I believe it will, as we strive for a more balanced taxation system that reflects both the health risks associated with different types of alcohol and the economic realities of their production. The goal is not only to generate revenue for health initiatives but also to create a sustainable model that fosters responsible consumption.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Monsieur Rousseau, for sharing your insights. It will be interesting to see how these policies evolve and impact both public health and the wine industry moving forward.
**Aurélien Rousseau:** Thank you for your interest. We’re committed to transparency and collaboration as we navigate these crucial discussions.
