The Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) wants to strengthen liability for the sale of counterfeit alcohol products. was informed about this RIA Novosti by the department’s press service.

In particular, we are talking about a complete ban on carrying out licensed activities in the event of a repeated violation. In addition, it is necessary to control the work of enterprises in adjacent markets participating in the production chain of counterfeit alcohol products, such as glass containers, the department added.

“Currently, the level of counterfeit alcohol in Russia has approached critical levels. One of the factors influencing this growth is the low cost of counterfeit alcohol compared to legal alcohol,” the report says.

To combat counterfeit alcohol, it is also necessary to reduce the powers of regions to introduce additional bans and restrictions on the sale of alcohol, the department is confident. FAS also advocates a significant increase in the amount of penalties for legal entities and individuals for violations related to the illegal sale of illegal products.

In mid-December, the FAS, citing the growth of the counterfeit alcohol market, proposed increasing the minimum price for vodka by 56% - from 185 to 240 rubles. for 0.5 l. The agency explained that the market grew sharply after the minimum retail price for vodka (MRP) was reduced. According to FAS estimates, its volumes account for 40–50% of the total volume of alcoholic beverages sold in Russia. In the event of a reduction in the MRP, taking into account the current excise tax rate of 500 rubles, it became almost impossible to produce legal alcohol, the department emphasized.

The FAS initiative was supported by Rosalkogolregulirovanie and the Ministry of Economic Development . Rosalkogolregulirovanie has begun preparations to increase the MRP of vodka. However, we are talking about an increase only to 190 rubles.

In February 2015, the minimum retail price of vodka was reduced from 220 to 185 rubles. This happened for the first time since the introduction of the corresponding control mechanism in 2010. The reason for this step was to cut off cheap illegal alcohol. At the same time, the reduction in the MRP caused dissatisfaction among alcohol producers. In addition, due to a decrease in purchasing power, many consumers switched to vodka at a minimum price of 185 rubles, however, “large manufacturers cannot compete in this segment, since it is impossible to maintain such a price in any of the retail channels without a loss,” explained RBC General Director of the Alcohol Siberian Group (ASG) Igor Savelyev .

FAS today also advocated for a reduction in the excise tax rate on alcohol, which is supported by the Ministry of Economic Development. Deputy Minister Oleg Fomichev previously spoke about this position of the ministry, but he emphasized that “there will definitely be nothing for this year, because all decisions on excise taxes have been made.” “Within the next budget cycle, it is quite possible,” quoted Fomichev as saying. the press service of the Ministry of Economic Development

Companies have been asked to lose their licenses for selling counterfeit alcohol.