Scotland: Drinks trade bodies slam plans to push alcohol minimum price

10 March, 2009

Key drinks industry trade bodies have labeled the Scottish Government’s attempts to push through minimum pricing on alcohol ‘unacceptable’.

Key drinks industry trade bodies have labeled the Scottish Government’s attempts to push through minimum pricing on alcohol ‘unacceptable’.

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association, the Scotch Whisky Association and the Scottish Beer and Pub Association penned a letter, published in the Scotsman newspaper, saying that the changes would not receive the consultation they needed.

The letter said: "That legislation is being pushed through without receiving the attention it deserves is a grave concern given the huge implications the changes have for Scottish consumers and businesses.

"Tackling Scotland's alcohol culture requires the fullest possible public and parliamentary debate and it is vital in our view that changes to the law which grant government significant additional powers should be open to full scrutiny and amendment by all MSPs."

The letter was a response to plans by Scottish ministers to introduce minimum prices on alcohol, a ban on cut-price deals and a “social responsibility" fee for some retailers.

The letter also accused the Scottish Government of attempting to "bypass" parliamentary scrutiny.

The letter was signed by Jeremy Beadles, chief executive of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association; Fiona Moriarty, director of the Scottish Retail Consortium; Campbell Evans, director of the Scotch Whisky Association; Iain McMillan, director of CBI Scotland; John Drummond chief executive of the Scottish Grocers Federation and Patrick Browne, chief executive of the Scottish Beer and Pub Association.





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