Responding to today’s Coalition Government policy statement, the WSTA welcomes the proposal to ban below cost sale of alcohol.

WSTA Chief Executive Jeremy Beadles said: 

“The WSTA supports a ban on selling alcohol below the level of duty plus VAT on the basis that these are both consumer taxes and therefore the cost should be passed on to the consumer.

“While the WSTA remains opposed to minimum pricing we are keen to work with Government on the issue of below cost selling to ensure any future legislation does not discriminate against any particular section of the drinks industry.

“However, we do not believe that alcohol pricing and taxation provide the solution to alcohol misuse. What’s needed is education and rigorous enforcement of laws to address misuse and related anti-social behaviour.

“We will continue to work with Government to communicate the sensible drinking message, not least through the Campaign for Smarter Drinking, which this week received the Drinks Business Responsible Drinking 2010 award.”

End

Notes to editors:

WSTA
The WSTA is the UK organisation for the wine and spirit industry representing over 320 companies producing, importing, transporting and selling wines and spirits.
We campaign to promote the industry’s interests with governments at home and abroad.
We work with our members to promote the responsible production, marketing and sale of alcohol.

For more information please contact Gavin Partington:
Tel:  +44 (0) 20 7089 3876
Mob:  +44 (0) 7966 014058
Email: