German beer lovers are facing a lack of their favourite beverage. The shortage was caused by the introduction of controversial recycling laws in the country today. According to reports so far, 14,000 shops have stopped sales of canned beer.

Germany's top court rejected on Friday, December 27, 2002, an appeal by a group, which opposes a government law to introduce deposit charges on non-refillable cans and bottles.

The constitutional court, which threw out an appeal by a group of retailers last week, turned down a new motion to delay the launch of deposits on January 1.

In Friday's case, 22 brewers, a supermarket chain, a can manufacturer and a tin producer had all sought temporarily to block the launch.

The government's plans and previous German courts' support for the directive have boosted shares in Norway's Tomra Systems Inc TOM.OL, which makes recycling machines which accept waste bottles and repay the deposits.

Opponents say industry faces start-up costs of 1.4 billion euros and running costs of 0.9 billion euros per year and lost sales if they are forced to push up prices.

This week, Jurgen Trittin, the environment minister, accused the drinks industry of being ill-prepared for the changes.