The drinks industry has welcomed Harpers' Responsibility OK initiative. Read some of the comments below.

Seymour Fortescue, chairman, the Portman Group

Signing up to the Responsibility Deal is a great way for drinks producers, whatever their size, to demonstrate that they are serious about tackling alcohol misuse. We fully endorse Harpers Wine & Spirit's Responsibility OK campaign which explains the practical measures companies can take to help create a more responsible drinking culture in the UK. If you need any advice about alcohol marketing or labelling get in touch with the Portman Group via This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit our website www.portmangroup.org.uk

Chris Mason, managing director, First Drinks

First Drinks Brands has signed up to the Responsibility Deal. It demonstrates the trade is committed to action, as seen in our strong support of Drinkaware's Why Let the Good Times Go Bad? campaign. In areas such as unit content and NHS health guidelines on labels we are urging our stakeholders to aim towards the 80% of labels complying with the guidelines on-shelf by 2013, plus we are considering further voluntary actions surrounding the advertising and marketing of alcohol. We therefore endorse what Harpers is doing with Responsibility OK.

David Cox, European director, New Zealand Winegrowers

I wholeheartedly support the Responsibility Deal and feel that if the UK drinks trade is allowed to continue to prove to the government and other influential bodies it can self-regulate we can make a difference and be seen to be part of the solution. I will continue to work with New Zealand Winegrowers and brand owners to expand the use of voluntary unit labelling, which is still not prolific enough for New Zealand wines.

Robin Copestick, founder of wine broker, Copestick Murray

It is important the whole industry supports this initiative so the government sees us being proactive. We all have to realise there are significant dangers attached to alcohol. We are working on labelling and product information that highlights this message but for this to be really effective we all need to go further. What Harpers is doing is an excellent start and I will support it wherever and whenever I can.

Michael Saunders, managing direcotr, Bibendum

Richard Cochrane [Bibendum off-trade director] has been very involved, working with Jeremy Beadles as part of the industry's working group. We believe the Responsibility Deal is a critical project for our industry - and we must respond positively for our greater good. If we do not, we risk others from outside our industry charting a path on our behalf.

Nick Mantella, Grupo Codorníu

Grupo Gordoníu is happy to support the Responsibility OK campaign. This fits well with us being signatories to the Portman Group, as well as having made a commitment to the WSTA last year to comply with best practice labelling by 2012.

Ian Harris, chief executive, WSET

We are very pleased to get behind the Harpers Responsibility OK campaign. We should not underestimate the impact of increased government legislation on our industry and WSET will continue to include social responsibility in all WSET programmes. Well done to Harpers for this initiative.

Michael Cox, European Director, Wines of Chile

I am more than happy to endorse and support the Harpers campaign to raise awareness of, and adherence to, the Responsibility Deal. This is one of the issues that is increasingly jeopardising the future viability and integrity of the wine trade and we ignore it at our peril. For too long the scales have been weighted in favour of the anti-alcohol and health lobby and the trade is losing the argument because of a lack of a coherent defence. We must be seen to have our own house in order.

Alison Levett, chief executive, Enotria

Enotria is really pleased to support this initiative which we think is a good thing, and urge the industry to take the opportunity to act co-operatively. We also encourage smaller businesses to play their part rather than relying on the bigger operators to do all the running.

Paul Kelly, corporate affairs director, Asda

Asda fully supports Harper's campaign to encourage commitment to the government's Responsibility Deal and understands the key role the industry plays when it comes to tackling alcohol misuse. Asda continues to demonstrate how seriously the business views responsible drinks retailing. Not only have we signed up to all of the UK Government's Responsibility Deal commitments on alcohol for the off-trade, but we also became the first multiple retailer to end alcohol sales below the cost of duty plus VAT, introduce Challenge 25, which is now the industry standard and stop the display of our alcohol in the foyers of our stores. This commitment has won us numerous Responsible Drinks Awards and we will continue to work with the industry and government to further tackle these key issues in the future.