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The spirit of inter-island collaboration may have been rekindled by Jersey’s Council of Ministers after the recent ferry fiasco.
Ministers on the red side of the region are hoping to get the green light for their proposals to boost the production of craft spirits in both Jersey and Guernsey.
The raising of a glass across the water comes in contrast to other gestures which may have been exchanged in the aftermath of the calamitous joint process for future ferry services, with Jersey ministers putting forward an amendment to their plans to ensure a level playing field with Guernsey, where the 2025 Budget was passed earlier this month.
Jersey's Budget for 2025-28, set to be debated in the States Assembly at the end of this month, proposes new policies on duty aimed to boost the island's emerging spirits industry – a move welcomed by one pan-island distilling business.
Having initially set out a tiered relief system consisting of a 50% rate of duty for distillers producing grain-to-glass spirits from raw agricultural products and a 75% rate of duty for manufacturers redistilling purchased base spirits, ministers have decided they wish to unify the rate.
The report accompanying the proposition states: "After additional consideration of industry dynamics and Jersey’s competitive positioning in the Channel Islands, this amendment proposes a unified 50% relief rate for all eligible small distillers, both those distilling from raw agricultural products and those distilling purchased spirits."
A further change being proposed by ministers involves the "ceiling" for the duty relief halved.
"The production ceiling for distillers eligible for the relief will be reduced from 40,000 litres a year to 20,000 litres, aligning with the objective to focus on genuinely small producers and an equal playing field across the Channel Islands", the report adds.
The objective of the move is described as "to further enhance Jersey’s appeal as a hub for craft distillation, bolster the island's hospitality sector, and promote alignment in excise policy across the Channel Islands".
Corresponding adjustments to the finance bill which underscores the budget have also been put forward.
Luke Wheadon, co-founder of the Channel Islands Liquor Company, said: "We would greatly welcome this if Jersey's Budget is passed.
"Parity between the islands is really important, and this move would bring small distillers in line with independent cider-makers and brewers, as well as allowing us to compete with the imported products made by multi-national companies."
Pictured: Mark Taft and Luke Wheadon of the Channel Islands Liquor Company.
Mr Wheadon set up his business in Guernsey in 2016 before opening a sibling operation at South Pier in St Helier in 2019. They recently expanded to a new premises in Guernsey. The company's products include Pink Granite and Wheadon's gins, Indica rum and a "house-pour" gin and vodka range.
Guernsey's Budget for 2025, passed by the States of Deliberation earlier this month, included similar moves to those tabled in Jersey, including the same figures of 50% for duty and 20,000 litres for the production ceiling.
The Budget debate is due to begin early next week.
Pictured - top: Sea Level Distillery, based in Grouville, is among the businesses likely to qualify for the proposed reduction in duty for small producers. (Dave Ferguson)
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