Regional rum producers to tackle irresponsible drinking

The West Indies Rum and Spirits Producers’ Association (WIRSPA) has recommitted efforts to lead action on promoting responsible drinking in the region, and reducing the negative effects of irresponsible drinking.

This month, directors of the regional rum industry met virtually for one of the scheduled biannual board meetings of WIRSPA. Producers from territories as far south as Suriname and Guyana and as far north as Belize and the Dominican Republic would traditionally meet in one of the member countries, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the meeting was pivoted online.
On Thursday, the association said in a statement, “Producers also took the time to recommit themselves to focusing on collaborative actions around promoting responsible drinking, and working in partnership with stakeholders and particularly regional governments on reducing excessive drinking and the physical and societal harms associated with it.”
The various regional brands continue to make significant advances in this regard, including engaging the hospitality industry on the issues and the modernising of their product labels to advise on calorie content; against driving under the influence, underage drinking, and drinking during pregnancy.
Participating members also shared a common story across domestic markets, of the negative impact of COVID on the economic activity, supply chain and logistics, and on tourist arrivals, with the latter beginning to see an upturn in the last six weeks.
Despite variations in the respective territories, the overall picture points to another challenging year for the region and the sector.
Komal Samaroo, Chairman of WIRSPA and Head of the regional conglomerate Demerara Distillers, pointed out, “This year has proved far more challenging than expected, due to the continuing effect of the pandemic and the tremendous challenges faced by producers in their supply chains, with long delays in obtaining raw materials and massive increases in transport costs… These issues look to continue into 2022, and require producers to invest more to ensure uninterrupted supply capacity.”
This time around, representatives from Belize, Grenada and Haiti respectively were officially welcomed recently to the board of WIRSPA.
Amanda Perdomo of Travellers Liquors, Kirk Seetahal of Grenada Distillers, and Delphine Gardere of Rhum Barbancourt sat at their first board meeting as their countries transitioned from associate membership to full membership. St. Kitts was appointed as an associate member at the same meeting.