European court calls for submissions on Scotland’s plan for minimum alcohol pricing

The Scottish government’s campaign to introduce a minimum price on a unit of alcohol is entering a new phase. The European Court of Justice has asked European Union governments, trade bodies, and other interested parties to present any submissions before the end of October. These will be taken into account before the judges deliver their ruling, possibly in the first half of next year.

The government wants to introduce the measure as part of its overall aim of reducing alcohol related harm. It accepts that minimum unit pricing is capable of affecting trade between EU countries and so goes against the general principle of …