Quebec plans to end microbrewery stamps [Video]

The Quebec government wants to put an end to the stamping of microbrewery beers. This is a measure that small hop producers have long been calling for.

According to the microbreweries, the obligation to affix stamps to their cans and glass bottles is both unnecessary and time-consuming.

Quebec microbreweries association managing director Marie-Eve Myrand was jubilant after the minister presented his bill.

“We’re really pleased with this abolition, which we’ve been calling for for several years. You can’t minimise the impact on SMEs of having to manage a marking system like this,” she told The Canadian Press in an interview at the National Assembly on Wednesday.

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Since 1971, the law has required a duty stamp to be affixed to all beer sold in restaurants and bars. The original aim was to prevent smuggling and tax evasion.

“There have been a lot of changes in pricing, and the harmonization of prices …