Lithuania has legalised moonshine production, but there is a condition
13 September 2024 11:23
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda has signed amendments to the law that legalise the production of moonshine in rural tourism estates. This was reported by "Komersant Ukrainian" with reference to LRT.
According to the adopted amendments to the law on alcohol control, starting from 31 October, it will be allowed to produce drinks with a strength of up to 65 degrees, recognised as national heritage products. It will be possible to produce up to 100 litres per year, but only for personal or family use or for on-site tasting – sales will be prohibited.
The amendments also require moonshine producers to notify the State Food and Veterinary Service 48 hours before the start of production, indicating the exact date, planned end date and quantity of product. Within 24 hours of completion of production, they will be required to report the exact quantity of the beverage produced.
The moonshine must be bottled in glass bottles with a volume of 0.2 to 1 litre and be labelled with the number, name and surname of the producer, date and time of production, composition and percentage of ethyl alcohol.
Agne Vaitkuvene, President of the Lithuanian Rural Tourism Association, previously said in an interview with BNS that the amendment would not bring significant financial benefits to the owners of estates, but would help preserve the national heritage.
At the same time, Mantas Zakarka, director of the Association of Lithuanian Producers and Importers of Alcoholic Beverages, expressed concern about the lack of adequate control measures in the law, which could lead to an increase in the illegal alcohol trade.
