NORWAY: Vinmonopolet may lose monopoly on imported alcohol

In a ruling last week, the court of the European Free Trade Organisation (EFTA) said Norway had failed to fulfil its obligations from the EEA-agreement by discriminating against imported alcohol. At present Norway has two forms of sale at the retail level where beer with an alcohol content between 2.5 and 4.75% by volume, mainly produced domestically, may be sold outside the State controlled wine and spirits monopoly (Vinmonopolet). Other alcoholic beverages with the same alcohol content, mostly imported, are only allowed to be sold through the Monopoly.