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VFI Calls for Stricter Enforcement for the Safe Sale of Alcohol

20-August-2010

Below Cost Selling of Alcohol and Distance Selling Causing Problems

In light of recent media attention, the Vintners’ Federation of Ireland (VFI) has again called on the Government to take heed of their calls for tighter guidelines on the sale and supply of alcohol in Ireland.

The recent Prime Time programme only served to highlight what the VFI have been saying for a number of years with regard to the manner in which alcohol is displayed, the manner in which it is being promoted and the manner in which it can be sold as a loss leader by supermarkets.

The President of the VFI, Gerry Mellett, himself a publican from Ardattin in Carlow, has expressed disappointment with the revelations on Prime Time and feels that it should act as a wake-up call for authorities.

“The VFI would be the first to say that alcohol should be sold in a safe, controlled and regulated environment. We feel as a Federation that scant regard is being given to the manner in which alcohol is being displayed, promoted and sold in supermarkets up and down the length and breadth of this country.

“The pub is the safest and most regulated environment within which to enjoy a drink and we would call on the government to make sure that all outlets supplying alcohol do so in a similarly responsible manner.”

The VFI is specifically calling for:

• The immediate introduction and full application of Section 9 of the Intoxicating Liqueur Act, 2008 which requires that alcohol is sold in a separate part of the premises to other non-licensed goods. Alcohol must be sold in a segregated area in a supermarket.

• Proper controls to be implemented around the promotion and marketing of alcohol, specifically within supermarkets. The voluntary code needs to be scrapped.

• That any ambiguity surrounding the practice of distance selling be cleared up.

• That the practice of selling alcohol as a loss leader by supermarkets be banned. Alcohol should not be sold below cost to increase footfall in a supermarket.

The VFI supports measures which will simplify the licensing laws, reduce alcohol-related harm, especially among young people and improve compliance with licensing law by licensees, and its enforcement by the Gardaí.

The VFI will assist the Minister in any way we can to ensure alcohol is sold in a safe and responsible manner.