Date: 06 November 2009 BROCKLEBANK : ‘MINIMUM PRICING LIKELY TO BE DEAD IN THE WATER’ The Scottish Conservatives held a debate in the Scottish Parliament on Thursday on the SNP’s proposals for a blanket minimum pricing of alcohol. The debate indicated that many in the Labour ranks were sceptical of the SNP’s plans and it is now clear that the SNP Government will be very unlikely to gain enough support to pass its proposals.
This is an important issue for East Fife where Diageo is a major employer. The SNP Government’s policy could cost jobs in the area whilst doing little to effectively combat alcohol abuse.
Commenting, Conservative MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Ted Brocklebank, said;
“I am glad that Thursday’s debate indicated that the SNP’s plans for blanket minimum pricing of alcohol would be unlikely to gain enough parliamentary support to become reality. This is a policy which may well be illegal under EU law, penalises responsible drinkers and, most importantly for North East Fife, will cost jobs in our vital spirits sector. Diageo is one of the biggest employers in East Fife and I do not want to see the SNP Government adopting measures that will potentially lead to a loss of jobs in the area’s spirit industry.
“The Scotch Whisky Association has this week said that the SNP’s proposals for minimum pricing will cost the Scottish industry a massive £600 million a year in lost export sales. This is a ridiculous price to pay for a policy that will have little effect in actually tackling Scotland’s drink problem.
“What we need are effective proposals that will target problem drinkers. Scottish Conservatives want to see an increase in tax on drinks such as alcopops and strong ciders. This will actually see real results in tackling Scotland’s alcohol problem instead of damaging our spirits sector and costing jobs.”
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