IRISH SPIRITS manufacturers are opposing plans by the Scottish government to outlaw the sale of cheap alcohol.
The Irish Spirits Association (ISA) says the Scottish proposal to introduce a minimum pricing for all alcohol sold in shops breaches EU competition rules by acting as a barrier to trade and puts imported products at a disadvantage.
The association, which represents 11 of the largest Irish whiskey and other spirit manufacturers, also claims the Scottish proposal would set an undesirable precedent for other countries to follow.
However, Irish health campaigners say the Government here should consider introducing a similar measure. Fiona Ryan, chief executive of Alcohol Action Ireland, said cheaper alcohol tended to be bought by those who drink to harmful levels, rather than moderate drinkers.
“Minimum pricing has been shown to have a beneficial impact on underage drinkers, young binge drinkers and those drinking at harmful levels,” she said.
At current alcohol prices, she said, a woman could reach her weekly maximum by spending just €10 on drink and a man €15.
Under the Scottish proposal, a minimum per-unit price would apply to the sale of alcohol, and the price of cheaper drinks would increase by up to 100 per cent.
The regulation could add up to 17 per cent to the price of some Irish-manufactured liqueurs and 14 per cent to Irish vodka.
Aoife Clarke of the ISA said it was monitoring developments in Scotland and liaising closely with the Scotch Whisky Association, which is vehemently opposed to the proposal.
“We’d be very concerned about any such scheme, which would clearly be in breach of EU rules on the free movement of goods,” she said.
The UK is one of the biggest markets for Irish-manufactured spirits after the US and the domestic market.
The spirits industry here employs more than 1,100 people directly and exports drinks worth €431 million each year.
Scotland has one of the highest rates of alcohol abuse in the world, with more than 1,500 deaths and 42,000 hospital admissions each year blamed on drink.
The proposal for a minimum price on alcohol forms part of a package of measures designed to tackle the problem and is likely to come before the Scottish parliament later this year.
In its submission to the Scottish government’s proposals, Diageo also opposes the minimum price plan, arguing that it would disproportionately penalise the majority of sensible drinkers.
Diageo is also opposing proposals to restrict pub advertising, saying it would make it impossible for an Irish pub to carry a sign for Guinness on the outside of its premises.