Minimum Pricing of Alcohol

20 April 2010

Colin Neill, Chief Executive of Federation of the Retail Licensed Trade (FRLT), said:

�The FRLT has successfully lobbied on behalf of our members on the issue of minimum pricing of alcohol and as a result of the FRLT�s continued pressure the Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey, has put forward proposals in a bid to curb the below cost selling of alcohol by the supermarket multiples. The FRLT fully supports these proposals, however the issue of minimum pricing of alcohol extends beyond Northern Ireland and it is important that legislation is introduced on a national level. However, with the upcoming general election, it is unlikely that any progress will be made on the issue, locally or nationally, until after May. �The past 18 months has been a particularly difficult time for the industry and there are still concerns and challenges ahead. The below cost selling of alcohol by the supermarket multiples is now not only undercutting licensees but suppliers also. At a time when licensees and suppliers are working more closely than ever before, it is vital that the government plays its part and does not further jeopardise the efforts of the industry by failing to act on this issue.�