The Scottish Government can go ahead with plans to introduce a minimum unit price for alcohol, following the Supreme Court’s rejection of a challenge by the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA).
Holyrood passed legislation five years ago to set a minimum price for a unit of alcohol. The SWA claimed minimum unit pricing was “disproportionate under EU law”.
Seven judges unanimously ruled against the SWA, saying the 2012 Act didn’t breach European law and that “minimum pricing is a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim”.
The SWA accepted the Supreme Court’s ruling.
It will now require further legislation to set a minimum unit price, currently proposed at 50p.
Following the decision, the Scottish Retail Consortium said it wanted to work with the Government to ensure the “best system possible” for retailers and consumers was put into place, and called for clarity on implementation of the legislation.
Ewan MacDonald-Russell, SRC Head of Policy and External Affairs, said: “We believe that will require both a reasonable implementation period, of at least six months, and clear guidance so retailers understand exactly how they can effectively implement the policy.”
The producer of Tennent’s Lager, C&C Group, said it was “completely aligned” with the Scottish Government and urged the drinks industry to get behind the ruling.
Paul Bartlett, Group Corporate Relations Director for C&C, said: “We welcome today’s landmark decision. It is the right move to make; a progressive step forward in tackling the problems of alcohol misuse in Scotland and we congratulate the Scottish Government on its perseverance.”
Picture: courtesy UK Supreme Court
