The EU is committed to more sustainability and more climate protection. The effects this has on the car industry, for example, has been discussed for a long time. The University of Bayreuth now wants to draw attention to an industry that is important for Bavaria's image.
Kulmbach (dpa / lby) - The tightened EU environmental and climate targets in the so-called Green Deal will have a strong impact on the Bavarian brewing industry. This is pointed out by Kai Purnhagen, Director of the Research Center for Food Law at the University of Bayreuth (FLMR). This is associated with major changes for agriculture, industry and trade.
"The beer industry has so far been underexposed in connection with the Green Deal," said Purnhagen. But in connection with climate and sustainability goals, there is a need for action, for example in the area of logistics, but also in the area of ingredients. Speaking of climate change: will this mean that hops will soon no longer grow in the Hallertau?
The famous Purity Law, enacted as a state regulation in Ingolstadt in 1516, stipulated that beer may only consist of water, malt and hops; yeast was later added as an ingredient.
Purnhagen explained that the Purity Law arose out of necessity. Wheat or rye was to be available for baking, while barley remained for brewing beer, from which malt was then extracted.
If the law at the time reacted to a deficiency, future regulations relating to beer could react to other factors - such as climate change.
The EU takes a critical view of alcoholic beverages such as beer, the scientist continued. However, he pointed out: "In the meantime there are also many non-alcoholic alternatives." There are also innovative small businesses, for example for craft beer.
A conference of the University of Bayreuth and the Bavarian Brewery Museum on Friday (July 29) in Kulmbach will deal with beer and EU law. The aim is to bring together actors from politics, science, business and agriculture, said Purnhagen.
He hopes to "create awareness of what we can expect," emphasized the food law expert. A common, separate legal framework for beer is conceivable, after all, beer differs from other foods.
