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Minister meets Buckfast company Minister meets Buckfast company
(about 1 hour later)
The Scottish health minister has met the distributors of a wine made by Benedictine monks, which has been drawn into the battle against binge drinking.The Scottish health minister has met the distributors of a wine made by Benedictine monks, which has been drawn into the battle against binge drinking.
Andy Kerr has expressed concerns about the effects of Buckfast Tonic Wine, produced at Buckfast Abbey, Devon.Andy Kerr has expressed concerns about the effects of Buckfast Tonic Wine, produced at Buckfast Abbey, Devon.
With an alcohol content of 15% per 750ml bottle, Mr Kerr said the drink - known as Buckie - was "seriously bad". With an alcohol content of 15%, Mr Kerr said the drink - known as Buckie - was "seriously bad".
He held talks with distributors J Chandler and Co on Monday. The firm said it was "just an easy target".He held talks with distributors J Chandler and Co on Monday. The firm said it was "just an easy target".
A spokesman for the Scottish Executive described the meeting as useful.A spokesman for the Scottish Executive described the meeting as useful.
"It was made clear that there were many challenges around alcohol in Scotland and Buckfast was one of them, " he said."It was made clear that there were many challenges around alcohol in Scotland and Buckfast was one of them, " he said.
The problem with anything alcoholic is if it's abused Jim WilsonJ Chandler & Co Pupils present drink evidenceThe problem with anything alcoholic is if it's abused Jim WilsonJ Chandler & Co Pupils present drink evidence
"The minister said his concern was about low cost, high alcohol-by-volume products, not just Buckfast."The minister said his concern was about low cost, high alcohol-by-volume products, not just Buckfast.
"They agreed that the dialogue should continue.""They agreed that the dialogue should continue."
A spokesman for Chandler's said it was "easier for politicians to attack the product than to solve difficult problems like social exclusion and anti-social behaviour".A spokesman for Chandler's said it was "easier for politicians to attack the product than to solve difficult problems like social exclusion and anti-social behaviour".
The prevalence of the drink in the so-called Buckfast Triangle - an area east of Glasgow between Airdrie, Coatbridge and Cumbernauld - has already raised concerns.The prevalence of the drink in the so-called Buckfast Triangle - an area east of Glasgow between Airdrie, Coatbridge and Cumbernauld - has already raised concerns.
A number of alcohol campaigners and people living in the affected communities said there was "no point" in blaming one particular brand of alcohol.A number of alcohol campaigners and people living in the affected communities said there was "no point" in blaming one particular brand of alcohol.
Last month, Jim Wilson, spokesman for distributors J Chandler & Co (Buckfast) Ltd, pointed out that Buckfast trails other drinks, like whisky, in sales.Last month, Jim Wilson, spokesman for distributors J Chandler & Co (Buckfast) Ltd, pointed out that Buckfast trails other drinks, like whisky, in sales.
He also said the drink, which is red-wine based with a high caffeine content, has only a half a per cent of the total alcohol market and does not feature in the top 100 brands.He also said the drink, which is red-wine based with a high caffeine content, has only a half a per cent of the total alcohol market and does not feature in the top 100 brands.
"The problem with anything alcoholic is if it's abused," said Mr Wilson."The problem with anything alcoholic is if it's abused," said Mr Wilson.