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Plans by Westminster to certify English single malt whisky have been branded “sabotage” by Scottish politicians who worry it’s going to undermine considered one of their core export industries.
A session was launched this week on the proposals that may enable whisky distilled in England to be classed as “single malt”, and afforded the identical geographical branding as its Scottish rival.
Producers search protected geographical standing, which has been given to merchandise resembling champagne and Cornish pasties, as a mark of high quality and authenticity, permitting for premium pricing.
“That is an act of sabotage and is yet one more blatant assault on considered one of Scotland’s key industries by a Labour authorities that merely doesn’t care,” stated Graham Leadbitter, the Scottish Nationwide celebration MP for Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey, a constituency that’s dwelling to a 3rd of Scotland’s whisky distilleries.
He stated the proposal “utterly undermines” the $5.4bn Scotch whisky sector. “Sir Keir Starmer should finish these damaging plans now,” he added, referring to the UK prime minister.
On Thursday first minister John Swinney stated the Scottish authorities would make “all obligatory representations to guard the identification and the character of Scotch whisky”.
The Scotch Whisky Affiliation additionally warned the appliance would undermine the pedigree and title of “single malt”.
Scotch requires the malt grains to be mashed, fermented and distilled all on the similar web site to ensure that the drink to qualify for the classification. Nevertheless, the English utility solely requires the whisky to be distilled at one web site to obtain “single malt” grade.
It might be “very damaging” for English whiskies to have the ability to describe their spirit as “single malt” regardless of being produced in a special method to the “long-standing traditions” of the Scotch whisky trade, the SWA warned.
“In brief, it permits wash (fermented liquid) to be tankered in from different websites,” the SWA added. “It might break the elemental reference to place, which is the central aspect of single malt.”
The English Whisky Guild, established in 2022 and with 26 member distilleries, stated its utility was in line with the US, which produces whiskey, and aligned with the only malt Welsh whisky geographical indication.
“These differing requirements help the creation of high quality whisky whereas fostering innovation and differentiation in every nation,” stated chief govt Morag Backyard.
The physique stated it will work with Defra, in addition to the SWA and different events to make sure “strong” requirements for English whisky.
The whisky row comes because the Scottish trade, an important export for Scotland and the UK, faces turbulent international situations which have dented restoration from the Covid-19 pandemic, with increased enter prices and subdued demand resulting in overstocked warehouses.
Scotch whisky exports fell 3.7 per cent to £5.4bn in 2024 as distillers warned of continued stress on shopper spending this 12 months, in line with the SWA.
Single malt exports have been down 17 per cent at £1.7bn over the identical interval, whereas total export volumes have been up, reflecting “the altering tendencies in international shopper preferences” as many drinkers shift in the direction of cheaper whisky. Scotch makes up 99 per cent of all single malt consumed within the UK and 93 per cent of internationally traded single malt whiskies.
The SWA referred to as on the UK authorities to mitigate rising home pressures on the trade, together with decreasing excise obligation that sees 70 per cent of the common priced bottle now collected in tax. The trade physique has additionally criticised UK chancellor Rachel Reeves’ resolution to extend obligation on spirits, claiming it broke the prime minister’s dedication to “again Scotch producers to the hilt”.
Emma Harper, SNP MSP and deputy convener of the cross celebration group on scotch whisky, described the transfer as “outrageous”. “It might destroy Scotland’s whisky trade and lead to a lack of jobs and exports,” she stated.
