Trade split over minimum pricing

Trade leaders are still divided over the issue of implementing a minimum price per unit of alcohol, a parliamentary debate today heard.

David Poley, chief executive of the Portman Group, raised concerns that once implemented, there would be pressure for the minimum price to continue to increase "without addressing the root cause of alcohol-related harm".

Comparing alcohol prices across Europe, Poley said, said if there was a relationship between price and consumption, "the UK would already be the sensible drinking capital of Europe".

The British Beer & Pub Association interim chief executive David Long, said the industry did not need further legislation, and that the mandatory code would already address issues that led to problem drinking, such as irresponsible promotions.

Both called for a focus on education and awareness. Long said the BBPA supports specific programmes that target harm rather than market intervention.

Meanwhile, Mike Benner, chief executive of the Campaign for Real Ale, said he was in favour of a minimum price, as it would equalise the on/off trade differential.

However, Dr Evelyn Gillan, director of Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems, felt that the presence of speakers with commercially-vested interests offering their opinions on the issue was like "having McDonalds advising you on nutritional policy." She added that a "good alcohol policy saves lives".

Chris Huhne, Liberal Democrat shadow Home Secretary, who chaired the debate, asked Long why the BBPA had not made a complaint to the Office of Trading Standards about "predatory pricing" in the off-trade, if that was their main concern.