Pubs of Ulster Welcomes ASDA Move on Minimum Pricing

23 July 2010

Following Asda�s announcement that it has introduced a policy across all its stores not to sell alcohol below the cost of duty plus VAT in a bid to tackle the growing problem of binge drinking Colin Neill, Chief Executive of Pubs of Ulster said:

�We welcomed the inclusion of a commitment to ban below cost selling of alcohol in the Coalition programme for government and it is an important step in the right direction that ASDA has proactively taken the stance to introduce a policy not to sell alcohol below cost in all its stores. We would encourage all other retailers to do the same; in particular Tesco which has previously highlighted an intention to end below cost selling and back the introduction of minimum pricing if the government takes the lead. Although the government has yet to clarify if proposals will go as far as introducing minimum pricing, it is encouraging to see that the UK�s largest retailers are finally facing up to the issue. Pubs of Ulster and our counterparts in the UK have campaigned extensively for the introduction of new legislation which has also been endorsed by an array of health charities, doctors' organisations, the Chief Medical Officer for England, the Scottish Executive and Stormont Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey. And while the coalition government�s actions on minimum pricing will primarily impact England and Wales, the major attitude shift at Westminster will support implementation at Stormont.�