SCOTLAND'S planned minimum alcohol price is in breach of EU rules as it would act as a barrier to drink imports, the European Commission said.

Brussels officials said the 50p per unit of alcohol price would discriminate against French brandy producers. They warned it would prevent importers from launching new products, citing Irish and Swedish cider brands that discounted to gain a foothold in the Scots market.

The EC's objection emerged in September but the full contents of opinion were made public yesterday. It came as the UK Government announced plans for a 45p per unit minimum price south of the Border.

Catherine Day, the general secretary of the European Commission, said the Scottish Government's plan was "in breach" of EU rules protecting free trade among member countries. The claimed health benefits, she said, were not "proportionate" to the impact on trade.

She said: "Eighty two per cent of French Brandy is sold at a price lower than 50p per alcohol unit and only 3% of malt whisky is sold at a price lower than 50p per alcohol unit, which indicates a restrictive effect of the measure on foreign produced spirit in comparison to Scotch Whisky."

On establishing new products, she added: "Foreign suppliers – particularly from Ireland and Sweden – have used pricing strategies such as discounting and multi-pack offers.

"These pricing strategies will no longer be possible."

Given David Cameron's backing for minimum pricing, the UK Government has vowed to stand "shoulder to shoulder" with Holyrood ministers.

A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: "Minimum pricing will save lives and reduce harm caused by alcohol misuse.

"We believe the policy, backed by expert opinion, is the most effective measure.

"We are confident that we can demonstrate minimum price is justified on public health and social grounds."

Campaign group Alcohol Focus Scotland said that it "profoundly disagreed" with the EC's verdict.