Madang eyes ban on yeast to address making of illegal brew

By DOROTHY MARK
THE Madang government will ban the sale of yeast – a key component in the production of homebrew – to complement the liquor ban in the province.
Governor Peter Yama said the provincial executive council’s decision last month to stop the sale of beer in small outlets would force some people to make and sell homebrew.
“That is why we will stop shops in town from selling yeast because it is the key ingredient in the making of the illegal brew,” he said.
“We will stop yeast to stop homebrew.”
Yama said there would be strict conditions and proper monitoring of the distribution of yeast to those who needed it for baking.
The four-year ban on the sale of alcohol in the province has been criticised widely by the public.
But Yama said it was done in the best interest of families.
He said families had suffered because too much money was spent on beer, which was the cause of many family problems.
“Yes, we will lose our internal revenue but we have carefully weighed out the consequences of having beer in the province,” he said.
Yama advised people who wished to have a drink to go to clubs and hotels.