On Wednesday, the Riksdag will introduce new rules for so-called farm sales. This means that you can buy a few bottles to take home from the vineyard, microbrewery, or distillery. Today, all sales take place at Systembolaget.
Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (M) has called the law a freedom reform, something that makes Sweden a little more like other countries.
In an open letter to the government, Höganäs municipal councilor Peter Schölander (M) warns that the knowledge test that producers must pass to obtain a permit for farm sales may become a bottleneck.
The Public Health Agency (Fohm) will design the test, with the goal of having it ready to be written by June 1. But Schölander doubts.
Suddenly, I see before me that this is going to take time, he says.
Short season
The tourist season is short on the Kullahalvön peninsula in northwestern Skåne – from June to the first week of August. If the test is not ready on time, the entire or parts of the season may be lost, and farm sales have only received temporary permits for six years.
In Höganäs, where three of the country's vineyards are located, they are ready to call in officials for duty on Sunday, June 1, and ensure that the tests can be written in the morning.
We are willing to go beyond what is reasonable to get this done, but there are things that are beyond our control, says Schölander.
He is critical of the fact that the tests are needed at all, since those affected already have serving permits for wine tastings and the like. But according to Fohm, it's about different legislation.
He is also critical of the detailed regulations in the agency's proposal for binding regulations. It states that a visit should last 45 minutes, of which at least 30 minutes should be knowledge-enhancing activities such as a lecture or guided tour.
Harmful alcohol
Each visit should begin with oral and written information about the harmful effects of alcohol.
If I go to Systembolaget, I can buy a whole box of whiskey without anyone giving a lecture and no one talks to me about the harmful effects of alcohol, says Schölander.
Fohm believes that there may have been misunderstandings about what the oral information should contain and plans for information efforts and guidance to municipalities as soon as the regulations are decided.
But as for the length of the visit, there is an explanation.
The purpose of farm sales is to benefit the tourism industry, and it must not be a replacement for Systembolaget, says Åsa Thornqvist, unit manager at the agency.
Drinks can only be purchased in conjunction with a "knowledge-enhancing visit arrangement" organized by the manufacturer.
At one and the same time, a person can buy: 0.7 liters of spirits, three liters of wine, three liters of strong beer, and three liters of other fermented alcoholic beverages.
Drinks can be sold every day between 10 am and 8 pm, but municipalities can decide on more limited hours.
Only small-scale manufacturers are covered. Vineyards must grow their own grapes, but other manufacturers do not need to produce raw materials on site.
The law will be introduced temporarily for six years, after which it will be evaluated before it can be introduced permanently.
