Mel Stride MP was in Crediton today visiting Sandford Orchards Cider Works on Commonmarsh Lane. He met with Chief Cidermaker Barny Butterfield and Mark Hopper from the National Association of Cider Makers (NACM). After being given a tour of the business and learning more about the industry Mel listened to concerns about the level of taxation currently imposed on ciders with the NACM arguing that the new mid-strength band (6.9-7.5% abv) of taxation that was introduced in February 2019 unfairly targets smaller cidermakers who are making artisan products and that flavoured ciders should fall under cider excise levels rather than wine excise levels as they are presently.
Speaking after the visit Mel said:
“It is good to see a business that has so much history continuing to be so successful. Beer duty and the main cider duty have both been frozen at the last two budgets in an effort to support local pubs and the wider drinks industry but the NACM made some interesting points and the issue is definitely something I will look at.”
The Cider Works was originally built in 1935 for The Creedy Valley Cider Company. They only select apples grown within 30 miles of their press and make cider using traditional Devonshire cider makers’ methods. They only ever make cider from naturally fermented, freshly pressed juice - no concentrates, no artificial flavours or aromas. Every pint of Sandford Orchards is blended from cider matured between 6 months and 3 years.
