THE Scottish Government is backing a Swedish drive to prioritise drink issues when they take on the EU presidency this year.

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said he agreed with the move after attending the European Alcohol policy conference in Barcelona yesterday.

Mr MacAskill said afterwards it was a "great opportunity" to discuss their respective problems. He added: "I was particularly pleased to hear that Sweden plan to keep action on alcohol as a top priority when they take up the EU presidency.

"They are keen to focus on the role of sponsorship and advertising on alcohol consumption an area which I agree needs to be looked at carefully."

Mr MacAskill recently wrote to UK Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly asking her to reduce the drink-driving limit from 80mg to 50mg per 100ml of blood and introduce random breath testing in a further crackdown.

He also highlighted the approach of the Spanish Government to the issue.

Mr MacAskill said: "I found the work they have been doing with driving schools to help raise awareness of drink-driving levels and the dangers of drink-driving particularly interesting.

"It could also become extremely relevant given our current drive to get the UK Government to reduce our limit to that of the vast majority of EU states."

He also set out measures to have separate display areas for alcohol and plans to stop "irresponsible" promotions in off-sales.