Call for drink price rethink after EU ruling
THE SNP faced renewed calls to ditch plans for minimum alcohol pricing after a ruling that similar policies on tobacco breach EU law.
The Court of Justice of the European Union upheld an earlier opinion that setting minimum prices for tobacco in Ireland, France and Austria is against EU directives. Minimum prices are "capable of undermining competition", the court said.
The Scottish Government said the decision has no bearing on its pricing plan but opponents argue that the ruling is a serious setback.
Gavin Hewitt, chief executive of the Scotch Whisky Association, said: "Given this latest evidence, the Scottish Government must now recognise the legal realities.
"It cannot introduce a trade barrier in breach of the UK's European obligations by imposing minimum pricing on alcohol in Scotland."
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Sunday 19 February 2012
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