Lords question academics on EU Alcohol Strategy

The Committee is investigating the success of the EU Alcohol Strategy 2006 - 2012, which was designed to support EU Member States in reducing alcohol-related harm. The findings of the inquiry will enable the Committee to make informed suggestions to the European Commission about the content of the new strategy, expected to run from 2016-2022. 

At 10.45am, the Committee will question:

• Professor Gerard Hastings OBE, Institute for Social Marketing at the University of Stirling;
• Professor Petra Meier, Professor of Public Health at the School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR), University of Sheffield; and
• Professor Peter Anderson, Professor of Substance Use, Policy and Practice at Newcastle University.

Issues the Committee will explore with the witnesses include: 

• their views on the EU Alcohol Strategy 2006 - 2012 and its achievements;
• whether they agree that there should be a new EU Alcohol Strategy and, if so, what its focus and priorities should be;
• their views on the recently agreed EU Action Plan on youth and binge drinking;
• whether the EU's alcohol policies are underpinned by a sound scientific base, for example with regard to issues such as minimum unit pricing, restrictions on advertising and the availability of alcohol; and
• their views on mechanisms established to facilitate discussion and cooperation between Member States, industry, civil society organisations and EU institutions.

The evidence session will take place at 10.45am, on Wednesday 15 October in Committee Room 3 of the House of Lords.

The session will be webcast at www.parliamentlive.tv and is also open to the public. Journalists wishing to attend should go to Parliament's Cromwell Green Entrance and should allow time for security screening.