Plans for enhanced protection of Scotch whisky
Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Hilary Benn today announced the steps Government is taking to enhance the protection of Scotch whisky.
Defra will consult later this year on legislation that delivers tighter definitions of Scotch whisky in UK law, with the expectation that secondary UK legislation will be possible by Spring 2008.
The proposed UK legislation, to help to support action against counterfeiting and passing off, will put enforcement provisions in place to underpin the new EU Spirit Drinks Regulations and will cover the Scotch Whisky Geographical Indication. The proposed Regulations will:
- Define five categories of “Scotch Whisky” (Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Single Grain Scotch Whisky, Blended Scotch Whisky, Blended Malt Scotch Whisky and Blended Grain Scotch Whisky) and will require these category names to be used.
- Allow the five “Scotch Whisky” categories to be supplemented initially by one of five regional names (Highland, Lowland, Speyside, Campbeltown and Islay). Further protected regions may be added to the Regulations at a later date. Products will not be allowed to use protected regional names if they have not been wholly made in the region.
- Prohibit whisky from being labelled with the name of a distillery or a similar name if it is not a product of that distillery.
- Prohibit labelling, packaging, presentation or advertising suggesting that a single malt was made at a distillery other than the actual distillery where it was made (e.g. using made up company names).
- Require all Scotch Whisky to be wholly matured in Scotland.
- Prohibit the export from Scotland of Scotch Whisky in wooden casks.
- Prohibit the export of Single Malt Scotch Whisky unless it has been bottled and labelled.
Des Browne, the Secretary of State for Scotland, said:
“This is another example of the UK Government working in a reserved area to protect one of Scotland’s most important exports.
“Scotch Whisky exports are worth over £2 billion to the Scottish economy each year and the industry needs this proposed legislation to help maintain that figure and defend its high-value product from imitation in some overseas markets. The Scotch Whisky Association has welcomed our commitment to do this and the UK Government has been both committed and responsive to the industry’s needs.
“The UK Government will always act wherever possible to help Scottish concerns and we have a long tradition of working with the industry in overseas markets through our network of embassies and assisting them in international negotiations over trade matters. I know Defra has been working hard on this proposed legislation and the Scotch Whisky Association will continue to contribute to that process.”
Page published: 8 October 2007