Province mulls turning cheap wine into biofuel
The Western Cape government is investigating alternative uses for cheap, low-quality wine, such as converting it into biofuel for tractors and generators as part of efforts to curb alcohol abuse.
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But such a move could face resistance from producers.
The provincial government says it is looking to encourage wine farmers to investigate alternative uses for low-quality wine, rather than packaging and distributing such wine to be easily accessed.
In her state of the province speech tabled in the legislature last month, Western Cape Premier Helen Zille said alcohol continued to be a major problem in the region, fuelling violence, injuries and other criminal behaviour. She said a strategy to address the availability of cheap liquor in communities had to be investigated. The province was therefore looking at alternative uses for cheap wine.
The conversion of wine to biofuel has not yet taken off in SA, though the Cabinet in 2007 approved a Biofuels Industrial Strategy. This is partly because not all the technical considerations have been dealt with.
"Part of the problem is the easy and cheap availability of alcohol," said Laurine Platzky, deputy director-general for strategic programmes in the premier's office. "We want to encourage wine farmers to investigate alternative products, rather than packaging and distributing poor quality wine.
"We believe the agriculture industry is innovative and can find new products for wine residue, which could possibly also alleviate fuel shortages," Platzky said.
However, Morris Uberstein, chairman of the Swartland Liquor Forum, which promotes responsible liquor trade, said the province would be "taking it too far" to push producers to limit the availability of "so-called cheap wine".
Wine was not the major problem but "the availability of ale, which can cost as little as R25 for a 5l box," he said.
"We accept that alcohol abuse is a very big problem in the Western Cape, but we believe that there should be a focus on illegal traders and shebeens, some of whom even sell alcohol on credit."
Rico Basson, CEO of wine producers body VinPro, said while the proposal by the provincial government could assist the industry in the medium-term to create alternative revenue streams, "we do not envisage in the short-term that significant volumes will be channelled via these on a commercial basis".
The wine and brandy industry was extremely concerned about the significant level of illicit trade.
"The industry - through the Association for Responsible Alcohol Use - is in continuous discussion with government and invests significant effort in responsible alcohol education and targeted interventions," Basson said.
Zille said communities needed to support any local strategies, including against illegal shebeens. "We must seek opportunities for illegal shebeen owners to find alternative business opportunities. The SAPS also have a crucial role to play because they alone have the legal authority to shut down illegal shebeens."
Source: Business Day
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