Update 2: - GRTU slams alcohol sales regulations, MHRA welcomes them

 Updated with GRTU, MHRA reactions

The GRTU said today that it was strongly against the regulations which ban the sale of alcohol fromc onfectionaries after 9 .m. It also called on the government to reconsider.

The GRTU said the regulation had caused a commercial advantage for one sector of retailing over another.

"The regulations put bars at an advantage and confectioners at a disadvantage and they confuse the situation where mini-markets, supermarkets and other food and drink retailers are concerned. They also confuse the situation where Kiosks are involved," the GRTU said.

"Retailers are licensed to sell during all hours in which they are open and they cannot be expected to lock away a section of their retailing establishment after a certain hour or to introduce searches in bags at the cash-point after a certain hour to ensure that consumers have not purchased what the law prohibits them from buying after a certain hour."

The GRTU said a  number of supermarkets and other food retailers have been opening late either in the summer or once a week and the consumer, irrespective of the limitations already existent in the law, purchased without restriction. Now they could not be expected to refrain from doing so. 

"The Government through the Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism, had identified a problem in Paceville where there is actual evidence of alcohol abuse. The solution however should not be prohibitionist or one which interferes with retailers`licences and with consumer choices. The solution is one of monitoring and surveillance of those areas where abuse is occurring, the GRTU insisted.

'BAD FOR CONSUMERS'

The Consumers' Association said that it disagreed with a government decision to ban confectioneries from selling alcohol after 9 p.m., arguing that this stifles competition to the detriment of consumers.

Other shops which normally sold alcohol at higher prices would be able to continue doing so during the night, without the competition from confectioneries, the association observed.

If there was something wrong in the sale of alcohol after 9 p.m, the measures should have been applied to all outlets, the association added.

It was obvious that the new regulations were aimed at protecting a particular sector.

The association also noted that retailers with more than one commercial licence would now have to choose under which licence to operate. This, the association said, went against the recent trend in the commercial sector. Shops were today trying to broaden their offer to consumers as consumers preferred to find all their requirements at one outlet, such as supermarkets. This new regulation, therefore, was also detrimental to consumers.

The association called for a proper analysis on the impact which the new regulations would have on retail trade and consumers.

MHRA WELCOMES NEW REGULATIONS

The Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association (MHRA) welcomed the new regulations.

"The MHRA has been advocating for proper enforcement and a change in the former regulations of the law in an effort to curb the rampant abuse that was taking place particularly in tourist and entertainment areas ever since the law was amended by the Department of Trade in 2006," the association said.

"Over the years the MHRA repeatedly objected to the lack of enforcement of the regulations which permitted a number of 'bottle shops' to practically trade as a bar, whilst the governing regulations provided penalties which were a mere pittance and far from a deterrent to anyone wanting to break the law."

"The punitive measures contemplated in the new law, should now serve as a sufficient deterrent to those that have so far got accustomed to flouting the law. Nevertheless the law is only as strong and effective as its enforcement, and it stands to be seen if this time around proper enforcement takes place. Ultimately only this will ensure the fulfilment of the intentions behind the amended regulations," the MHRA added.