Salmond Scotches Profit Talks

[Bookie]

I saw this from yesterdays Metro newspaper.

Scotch Whisky is a premium product which should not be affected by plans to introduce minimum prices for alcohol said Scottish First minister Alex Salmond yesterday.

Researchers had said a minimum price could lead to a huge leap in income for the drinks industry. But the Scotch Whisky Association claimed it defied belief to suggest such such a move could boost profits rather than damage the industry. Mr Salmond said "I think whisky must sell as a prremium product."

Bookie

[William]

Hi Bookie

I have read in a few newspapers that the Scottish Government's plan to impose a minimum price for alcoholic drinks is looking very shaky.

A review of European Court of Justice cases going back three decades has concluded that minimum retail prices violate EU law.

Brussels-based lawyers came to the same conclusion in research conducted for brewing giant SABMiller.

Legal advice for the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) said the minimum pricing was likely to breach Article 28 of the EC treaty that prohibits "quantitative restrictions"? on imported products. As long ago as 1978, the Court of Justice ruled that minimum retail prices for spirit drinks broke European law by preventing imported products from having an opportunity 1to compete with domestic products on the basis of a lower cost base.

William

[islayonspey]