Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions he has had with his EU counterparts in EU member states on the UK's tax exemption for cider producers who sell under 70hl per annum.

As announced at Summer Budget 2015, the government will retain the current duty exemption for small cider producers until and unless a replacement scheme is established.

The UK is discussing reforms to EU law with the EU commission and other Member States, so that it explicitly allows member states to support small cider makers through the duty regime. The government is also looking at alternatives that could apply. The government will work with industry on both of these.

Small cider makers are a traditional part of rural economies who help create a diverse and vibrant cider market and the government is committed to maintaining support for the industry.