HEALTH secretary Alex Neil went to Brussels last week to put forward the case for minimum pricing.
Neil met officials from business and health departments to outline the Scottish Government’s plans to introduce a minimum unit price of 50p. His visit came after several EU countries raised concerns that the policy may breach free trade rules; the Scotch Whisky Association is also taking action in Europe and the UK against the legislation.
Plans for a minimum price in Scotland have, however, received support from the Irish Government.
Speaking ahead of the meeting, Neil said: “The point that I will make in Brussels is that minimum pricing can, and will, save lives.”
Meanwhile, the coalition government is consulting on plans for a minimum price of 45p a unit in England and Wales.
