Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of raising the minimum juice content for cider.

The UK has a history of cidermaking dating back thousands of years. This proud tradition has given rise to a wide variety of cidermaking traditions throughout the UK, ranging from small, artisanal producers to large scale global businesses. The UK Government recognises the importance of cider and cidermakers to British farmers, publicans, and consumers alike. The present requirement under the Alcoholic Liquor Duties Act 1979 that 35% of the finished product be made up by apple juice was last revised in 2010, following consultation with cidermakers. Defra believes that this strikes a suitable balance, facilitating the various ancient traditions found on these islands while still allowing for innovation in the sector and large-scale production of popular styles. Neither consumers nor cider makers have been asking for a change in the rules. As a result, the Government has not made any more recent assessment of the merits of raising the minimum juice content for cider and has no plans to amend this provision in the 1979 Act.