Industry seeks legislation to protect Scotch
7 Jul 06
Scotch Whisky Association has support of MSPs for regional definitions
Legal measures to protect Scotch whisky from foreign imitations will be brought in after the next Holyrood election, according to an article in today's Scotsman.
The whisky industry wants legislation to set down what exactly is meant by definitions such as Islay, Highland, Lowland, Speyside and Campbeltown malts. It also wants agreed definitions for Single Malt, Single Grain, Blended Malt, Blended Grain and Blended Scotch.
Currently, "Scotch" is protected as a geographical product, but regional variations aren't.
The Scotsman article says that Scotch whisky producers have the support of all the main parties in the Scottish parliament for a bill which would define the different variations of Scotch whisky.
Should the proposals for legislation be agreed, the definition would be used in courts around the world.
A spokesperson for the Scotch Whisky Association said the legislation was important because it would protect the product from foreign imitators and provide clear information for consumers.
A spokesperson for the Scottish Executive said the Executive supported measures to protect Scottish whisky producers and was currently looking at options for the future.