US government shutdown also disrupts brewing industry
USA | The federal government entered a shutdown on 1 October after Congressional funding negotiations failed, leaving the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) operating with only essential staff. This resulted in immediate disruptions to key services that the TTB provides for brewers, and they will significantly impact brewers, should the shutdown be extended.
“The brewing industry will see immediate disruptions to key regulatory services,” the Brewers Association said in a statement. “The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) has scaled back to only essential staff. As a result, Certificate of Label Approvals, formula approvals, issuance of brewer’s notices, and other permitting functions are suspended until the agency is fully staffed again.”
New or pending Small Business Administration (SBA) loan applications will also be stalled with the SBA mostly shut down as well. Payments on existing loans and federal excise tax collection will continue.
The BA warns brewers to be prepared for long delays in approvals once the shutdown ends, since the TTB will have a backlog of applications.
The BA reminds its members to continue making excise tax payments and submitting reports that are due during the shutdown. “The shutdown does not relieve brewers of any pending legal responsibilities or payments that are due.”
