Euro probe on pricing

THE SCOTTISH Government’s move to introduce minimum alcohol pricing could be subjected to a European Union (EU) legal probe.

Conservatives, who back the proposal, have called for the challenge to ensure a “quick decision” on whether the Bill meets free trade rules.

Health spokesman and deputy Tory leader Jackson Carlaw will travel to Brussels next month for a series of talks with key industry figures and politicians from concerned member states in Europe.

The minimum pricing Bill is expected to pass its final parliamentary legislative hurdle on Thursday, which will pave the way toward the introduction of a unit price of 50p.

Before the Scottish Government implements the Act it has agreed, in return for Scottish Conservative support, to a voluntary notification to the European Commission (EC) of the minimum price mechanism.

However, the EC may not give a ruling on whether the new pricing structure is legal unless one of the 27 EU countries mounts a challenge.

Member states will have a window of three to six months to launch such an action.

Mr Carlaw confirmed he would be “encouraging” a legal challenge and said a “sunset” clause, meaning the policy could be ditched in six years if it does not work, would offer additional protection should minimum pricing go ahead.

“This is not an attempt to thwart the Bill but rather to ensure that every effort is made to determine whether the measure is legal,” he explained.

“It is vital that minimum pricing is given a robust MOT to ensure it does not break EU free trade rules. So, to ensure that the EC expresses a view, Scottish Conservatives intend to meet and encourage concerned member states to mount a challenge so we can have clarification from Europe on the legality of a 50p unit price for alcohol.”

A Scottish Government spokesman said: “Minimum pricing of alcohol does comply with European law, provided it is justified on the basis of public health and social grounds.”

Under the proposals the price of some ciders and cheaper spirits would rocket.

The European Union will be asked whether the minimum pricing policy breaches free trade rules.