Minimum alcohol price is compatible with EU law, says Scottish court

In a landmark ruling applauded by medical groups, a court has judged Scotland’s proposal to set a minimum price on a unit of alcohol as legal and compatible with European law.

However, the Scotch Whisky Association and the trade organisation Spirits Europe, which have challenged the legality of minimum pricing, said that they planned to appeal and were confident of success.

The industry mounted a legal challenge in Scotland’s supreme civil court, arguing that a minimum price would breach the United Kingdom’s obligations under European Union treaties because it would restrain trade. Evidence was heard over several days …