Leahy Joins Schumer In Push For Better Hard Cider Standards

Posted by Paul Rusnak|September 26, 2013

Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) recently joined Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) to introduce legislation to update federal regulations to better define and regulate hard cider. The CIDER Act — Cider Investment and Development through Excise Tax Reduction Act — aims to raise the permissible amount of carbonation in hard ciders, keep the alcohol content standards with the sugar content of apples, make U.S. hard cider standards consistent with European standards, and would expand the legislation to include pears.

“Vermont is closely associated with the booming market for hard cider, and this is a great opportunity to help cider and apple producers in Vermont meet the growing demand from coast to coast,” said Leahy. “Boosting cider production would create new economic opportunities for local cider manufacturers like the Vermont Hard Cider Company in Middlebury, while opening new markets for local apple producers throughout Vermont. This fits our strategy for expanding value-added agriculture in Vermont, which is a key building block for Vermont’s emerging markets and economy.”

Shumer unveiled his bill earlier this year. Click here to read more about Schumer’s initial introduction of the CIDER Act.

“Vermont apple growers and cidermakers strongly support Senator Leahy’s proposed changes to federal hard cider tax law. Apples — grown on nearly 4,000 acres of land in the state — are the second-most valuable specialty crop in Vermont with a farmgate value of over $15 million,” said Terry Bradshaw, president of the Vermont Tree Fruit Growers Association. “Expansion of high-value processed apple products, like hard cider, could significantly increase opportunities for regional and U.S. apple growers. The hard cider market is rapidly expanding, but outdated tax policies will hamper this growth that promises to increase jobs, support farms, and enhance the quality of life throughout rural communities in Vermont.”

The CIDER Act was introduced to the House of Representatives by U.S. Reps. Earl Blumenauer (OR) and Chris Collins (NY). For more on their involvement with the regulation, click here.