THE Scottish Government has urged the UK Government to reverse its decision to grant English whisky protected status, saying the move "could have devastating, wider effects on our proud and iconic whisky industry".
English whisky was granted "protected geographical indication status" earlier this week, meaning it gets the same recognition as Scotch, Welsh and Irish whiskies.
Cabinet Secretary for the Economy Tourism, and Transport Stephen Flynn has written to Steve Barclay – Labour's Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs – with the call to reverse the decision, highlighting "the risks posed to the Scottish economy" and called for collective, four nations consideration in order to avoid significant risk to the industry.
The National told how Scottish whisky distillers reacted with fury to the decision to grant English whisky protected status, after some argued it dilutes Scotch whisky’s brand value.
Flynn wrote: “I join Scotland’s whisky industry in opposing this wholly unacceptable decision. It is a decision that not only undermines the reputation of the term Single Malt but could have devastating, wider effects on our proud and iconic whisky industry.
“The UK Government’s decision risks undermining the integrity of our whisky sector, weakening the internationally recognised meaning of single malt whisky, and compromising our collective efforts to promote robust standards in global markets.
“It also threatens longstanding standards of production and quality which underpin the success of the sector both in Scotland and across the UK. The decision to remove the requirement to use copper pot stills for malt whisky raises fundamental questions about the integrity of the whisky being produced.
“I am also deeply frustrated that the UK Government announced this outwith the agreed process between our governments for GI Applications. I urge the UK Government to reverse this decision, amend the specification so that it does not carry significant risks to the sector, and rightly allow the four nations to consider significant amendments before reaching a collective decision.”
SWA chief executive Mark Kent previously said the rules put “established practice and long-standing industry traditions” at risk, adding that “the definition of single malt would undermine” single malt Scotch whisky.
The Scotch Whisky Association, which represents 90 companies including major producers such as Diageo and Glenmorangie, said it is "profoundly concerned" by the decision.
Scotch single malt whisky must be mashed, fermented, and distilled at a single distillery in Scotland. However, this is not mandatory for English single malt under its Geographical Indication (GI) status, with some steps allowed to take place away from the primary site.
