EU court to issue opinion on minimum alcohol price

Europe’s top court will provide the first indication this week as to whether it will allow minimum alcohol pricing — a measure being considered by a number of countries including Ireland.

The European Court of Justice will issue an opinion on proposals to introduce legislation in Scotland that would see sharp increases in the price of certain alcoholic drinks as a public health measure.

It will be the first indicator as to whether such an initiative will run foul of EU trade and competition rules.