Minister: Whisky law row led to 100 deaths
SCOTLAND’S whisky industry has been accused by the Scottish Health Secretary of killing more than 100 people because it has challenged controversial drinks reforms.
Shona Robison claimed that lives have been lost because the Scottish Government’s minimum pricing plans have been delayed by legal action from the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA).
In a controversial attack on one of the country’s most valuable industries, she also said that thousands more people have ended up in hospital or been the victims of crime because of the court battle.
But the SWA, which represents global giants including Diageo, Chivas Brothers and Edrington, last night hit back at the ‘inflammatory’ comments – and insisted that drinkrelated deaths have been falling.
Miss Robison’s remarks came in response to a formal question at Holyrood from an MSP about the timing for introducing a minimum price of 50p per alcohol unit, which will force up the cost of everything from wines to beers and whiskies.
She said: ‘Minimum unit pricing of alcohol was passed unopposed by the parliament and would have been in place now for two years if it were not for the legal challenge that has been led by the Scotch Whisky Association.
‘Over that time, we would have seen more than 100 fewer deaths, more than 3,000 fewer hospital admissions and around 7,000 fewer crimes.
‘The case is currently before the Court of Justice of the European Union before returning to the Court of Session for a judgment.
‘We are as frustrated as many other members in the chamber about the delays that have been caused by the legal challenge.
‘We remain fully committed to the implementation of minimum unit pricing.’
Under the SNP’s plans, the price of many bottles of red wine would rise to at least £5.25, while a standard blended whisky would cost at least £14 a bottle and a crate of 24 standard lagers £21.65 or more.
The SWA began legal action against the pricing plan in 2012, claiming it was not within the powers of Scottish ministers, was incompatible with EU law and would be ineffective.
Court of Session judge Lord Doherty dismissed the SWA’s claims in 2013. But the SWA launched an appeal, meaning the European Court of Justice has been asked to come to a decision, with EU member states invited to submit opinions. A decision is not now expected to be announced until later this year.
Responding to the comments, an SWA spokesman said: ‘We’ve con- sistently argued minimum pricing is not an effective way of dealing with alcohol-related harm.
‘Since such harm is in fact falling in Scotland and has been for some years, we don’t believe it’s helpful to talk in these inflammatory terms.’
Official NHS Health Scotland figures show that since 2003, alcoholrelated deaths have declined by 35 per cent, while the number of people admitted to hospital for alcoholrelated conditions has fallen by 25 per cent from its peak in 2007/08.
A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘While we respect the SWA’s right to challenge minimum pricing legislation, it’s regrettable and frustrating that this has delayed implementation of this lifesaving policy – as underpinned by the widespread backing from doctors, nurses, the police and health experts.’