The Federation of Wholesale Distributors (FWD) is one of several organisations that have expressed their antipathy towards the Government’s proposed tax on sugary drinks in a bid to reduce the nation’s obesity problem.

FWD chief executive James Bielby (right) said: “Introducing a levy on soft drinks in the UK creates a new opportunity for unscrupulous importers to bring tax-avoided products into the supply chain. This would hugely disadvantage UK manufacturers and wholesalers and is just one of the many unintended consequences of using such a blunt instrument to change consumer habits.”

Other trade bodies expressing misgivings about the proposed tax include the Scottish Grocers’ Federation, British Pub & Beer Association and British Soft Drinks Association.

FWD (01323) 724952