Another hurdle for Scotland's MUP
This week the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg is hearing evidence from the Scottish Government in relation to its attempts to bring in Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP) - BBC news.
Although the hearing will allow the court to produce its preliminary ruling, the decision will not be issued until later this year, and the case will then be referred back to the Court of Session for a final decision. EU member states will also have the opportunity to make representations on the Scottish Government’s proposal. See the Government press release here.
Scotland first passed legislation to implement a 50 pence MUP in 2012, but a number of industry bodies represented by the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) mounted a legal challenge. Although the Scottish Judiciary found that MUP did not breach EU competition law, Dr Evelyn Gillan, Chief Executive of Alcohol Focus Scotland said "The SWA has mirrored the tactics of the tobacco industry in delaying life saving legislation."
SHAAP (Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems) recently published an MUP briefing [pdf] and are campaigning for people to sign in support of MUP.
Wales and Northern Ireland also plan to implement MUP. However in England it has not received attention from the main parties since 2012 plans for a minimum pricing were shelved amidst accusations of industry lobbying. As an alternative, a 'below cost ban' has since been implemented, but its effect has been suggested to be minimal, if any. However Public Health England have committed to "continue to set out the evidence base for the introduction of a minimum unit price for alcohol", and rumours that Labour would seek MUP surfaced last year.
Calorie labelling on the cards?
Members of the European Parliament recently backed calls for compulsory calorie labelling on alcoholic drinks following a vote at the European Parliament. However according to the BBC, the MEPs' vote is not binding so it is not certain if or when the proposals could become law.
Last year a report from the Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) called for legislation to require calorie labelling on drinks, with the majority of the being public unaware of the calorie content but wanting more information. However the report suggests the likely impact of increased awareness of alcohol calories on drinking habits is largely unknown.
The Portman Group have highlighted some producers are reportedly taking voluntary labeling action; Diageo became the first drinks producer to commit to calorie labelling according a Drinks Business report. Of course voluntary action has been a highly controversial alcohol policy area so its future is uncertain for now...
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