Whisky leader attacks minimum pricing plans

Published: 02 March, 2009

Scotland's plans for minimum pricing for alcoholic drinks are likely to breach both EU and international trade law, the Scotch Whisky Association has warned.

Scotland's plans for minimum pricing for alcoholic drinks are likely to breach both EU and international trade law, the Scotch Whisky Association has warned.
The SWA joins a chorus of voices opposing the ruling SNP's plans to introduce minimum pricing as part of wider efforts to curb problem drinking.
Other measures include local flexibility to raise the legal purchasing age to 21, banning price promotions, and restrictions on the display of alcohol within stores.
The SWA said: "International rules and case-law suggest that minimum retail prices for alcohol act as a barrier to trade.
"The introduction of a trade barrier to imports in Scotland through minimum pricing would have damaging consequences for Scotch whisky overseas, encouraging discriminatory restrictions against whisky, justified on the basis of Scotland's own violation of international rules.
"This would undermine the industry's nearly £3bn a year export trade."
Chief executive Gavin Hewitt added: "We agree that attitudes to alcohol in Scotland need to change, but minimum pricing is not the answer.
"It is hard to believe any Scottish Government would bring forward proposals that are likely to be both illegal in international trade law and risk damaging the whisky industry."
He accused the Scottish Government of using secondary legislation to bring in the proposals, "preventing the full debate on the consequences of minimum pricing which such a damaging proposal deserves".

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