THE next stage in the legal battle over minimum unit pricing (MUP) for alcohol is set to get underway today (February 4).
The Court of Session in Edinburgh is hearing an appeal from the Scotch Whisky Association over the Scottish Government’s plans to introduce a minimum price of 50p a unit.
The hearing, which is due to last eight days, comes after a legal challenge by the SWA last May was rejected.
The Alcohol (Minimum Pricing) (Scotland) Act was passed in May 2012 but its implementation has been delayed due to the legal challenge.
Last July, the UK government scrapped its plans to introduce a 45p per unit minimum price in England and Wales.
But Scottish Government health secretary, Alex Neil, said Holyrood remains “absolutely committed” to introducing minimum pricing north of the border.
