Stored liquor should be restamped - Czech PM Necas

New alcohol should obtain laboratory tested "birth certificates," Necas said.

The decree on new stamps on alcohol will be finished on Thursday, he added.

The consumers will learn the exact composition [of the drinks] from laboratory verified birth certificates, Necas said.

Necas said in the long run the government was envisaging modernisation of the stamps so that they were considered official stamps with protected elements.

Such stamps would be more expensive than those issued at present.

The government also wants to establish electronic registration of spirits, Necas said.

Within the plan, each bottle is to be marked with an identification code, he added.

The renewal of licences for alcohol production is also being considered, Necas said.

The state is analysing the work of the customs and inspection authorities so that the general public may know whether they failed, he added.

Necas said politicians were considering unifying the fragmented inspection agendas.

The death toll of methanol poisoning, caused by bootleg alcohol, has reached 23 lives.

Earlier today, President Vaclav Klaus said the introduction of prohibition in the Czech Republic was an unreasonable and exaggerated solution to the spread of bootleg alcohol and it will be difficult to lift it.

Klaus said the state failed in control of the alcohol market and added that he considers the series of deaths a big tragedy.

Necas said the imposition of the prohibition was necessary for the sake of human lives and health.

The measure was taken on Friday evening after a thorough consideration, while Klaus's criticism only came six days later, he added.

Author: ČTK
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