This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-21013297
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Alcohol pricing challenge goes to Court of Session | Alcohol pricing challenge goes to Court of Session |
| (about 13 hours later) | |
| A legal challenge to the introduction of minimum pricing on alcohol in Scotland is under way at the Court of Session in Edinburgh. | |
| The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) and several European wine and spirits bodies are seeking a judicial review of the legislation. | |
| They argue a law passed by the Scottish parliament last year on minimum pricing breaches EU trade rules. | They argue a law passed by the Scottish parliament last year on minimum pricing breaches EU trade rules. |
| Both the UK and Scottish governments are respondents in the court case. | |
| The Alcohol (Minimum Pricing) (Scotland) Act 2012 was passed last May, as part of an effort to tackle alcohol misuse. | The Alcohol (Minimum Pricing) (Scotland) Act 2012 was passed last May, as part of an effort to tackle alcohol misuse. |
| The Scottish government has said the minimum price would initially be set at 50p per unit, meaning the cheapest bottle of wine would be £4.69 and a four-pack of lager would cost at least £3.52. | The Scottish government has said the minimum price would initially be set at 50p per unit, meaning the cheapest bottle of wine would be £4.69 and a four-pack of lager would cost at least £3.52. |
| The bill received royal assent on 29 June, but Scottish ministers have undertaken not to introduce the measures until after the Court of Session has made its ruling. | The bill received royal assent on 29 June, but Scottish ministers have undertaken not to introduce the measures until after the Court of Session has made its ruling. |
| In November, the European Commission voiced opposition to Scotland's plans for minimum pricing, describing them as a disproportionate response to the country's drink problems. | In November, the European Commission voiced opposition to Scotland's plans for minimum pricing, describing them as a disproportionate response to the country's drink problems. |
| The EC also said it believed the move could restrict imports of foreign alcohol. | The EC also said it believed the move could restrict imports of foreign alcohol. |
| Trade concerns | Trade concerns |
| The UK government is currently consulting on introducing a minimum pricing policy in England and Wales. | The UK government is currently consulting on introducing a minimum pricing policy in England and Wales. |
| The SWA has claimed the policy in Scotland would push up the price of 85% of blended Scotch whisky and could cost the industry £500m in exports. | The SWA has claimed the policy in Scotland would push up the price of 85% of blended Scotch whisky and could cost the industry £500m in exports. |
| The industry body has been joined in its legal action at the Court of Session by the European Spirits Organisation and European wine body Comite Vins. | The industry body has been joined in its legal action at the Court of Session by the European Spirits Organisation and European wine body Comite Vins. |
| They will argue that the law on minimum pricing would restrain trade and breaches the Act of Union, which stipulates there must be a common market across the UK. | They will argue that the law on minimum pricing would restrain trade and breaches the Act of Union, which stipulates there must be a common market across the UK. |
| However, the Scottish government believes the policy will save lives. | |
| Eight days have initially been set aside for the court action. | Eight days have initially been set aside for the court action. |