SNP claims EC green light for minimum pricing

Related tags Minimum price European union Scottish national party

The ruling Scottish National Party (SNP) says the the European Commission has made it "perfectly plain" that plans to introduce a minimum price for...

The ruling Scottish National Party (SNP) says the the European Commission has made it "perfectly plain" that plans to introduce a minimum price for alcohol in Scotland are within EU laws.

The Scottish government plans to bringing in a minimum price per unit for alcohol as part of its plans to tackle the country's drinking culture.

However, the drinks industry has argued this would be against European competition law.

In a written response to a Parliamentary question from a Labour MEP, the EC stated it "recognises the right of Member States to pursue public health objectives and welcomes, in principle all initiatives which aim at reducing harms to public health, in particular alcohol-related harm."

The statement added that pricing rules would not breach competition laws if they "applied to all relevant traders operating within the national territory and if they affected in the same manner, in law and in fact, the marketing of domestic and imported products".

SNP MEP Ian Hudghton, a member of the Parliament's Internal Market committee said: "The SNP and the Scottish government have always been clear that minimum pricing on alcohol is both legal and necessary.

"This answer makes clear that the proposal for minimum pricing on alcohol is well within EU law and kills off opposition and industry suggestions to the contrary."

  • The Publican ​is running a campaign - Make it the Minimum ​ - pushing for a 50p minimum price in England and Wales to clampdown on cut-price off-trade alcohol.

Related topics Legislation

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