09.01.2025 - Sweden has chosen to disregard Portugal's criticism of the farm sales proposal, while the European Commission, according to reports, has opted not to comment. "Sweden can now expect lengthy court proceedings in the EU Court of Justice, directly threatening Systembolaget’s monopoly," says Emil Juslin, head of drug policy at IOGT-NTO.
Since the proposal was introduced, the government has faced extensive criticism, particularly due to the risk it poses to the EU legal standing of Systembolaget’s monopoly. Criticism has come from civil society organizations, EU law experts, and even from the Council on Legislation and Portugal.
"Many of us have questioned the government’s farm sales proposal because it jeopardizes the Swedish monopoly and thereby public health. Once again, the government chooses not to address these concerns but continues to gamble with Swedish public health. The fact that Portugal has criticized the proposal clearly shows the issue is far more complex than the government wants to admit," says Emil Juslin, head of drug policy at IOGT-NTO.
The proposal is likely to be decided in the EU Court of Justice, where IOGT-NTO believes the court will reach a different conclusion than Sweden.
"In the Vinsapuu case in Finland, the court ruled that products sold through both a monopoly and farm sales could no longer be considered monopoly products under EU law. It’s likely that the court would make the same assessment in the Swedish case, which would mean the end of the Swedish monopoly," Juslin adds.
Sweden’s alcohol policy has long been defined by Systembolaget’s monopoly and is praised by the WHO as one of the most effective measures to reduce alcohol-related harm.
"Alcohol policy is designed to protect against the harms of alcohol. The government must prioritize safeguarding the Swedish monopoly and our collective public health. Otherwise, we risk a reality where more children grow up in unsafe environments, more families are negatively affected by loved ones’ alcohol consumption, and more people die due to the consequences of alcohol," Juslin concludes.
Source: IOGT-NTO