Government seeks views on whisky legislation
8 Oct 07
New rules proposed to increase protection against imitation brands
The UK government is proposing to take steps to enhance the protection of Scotch whisky.
Hilary Benn, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, has announced a consultation to begin later this year on legislation to tighten up the definition of Scotch whisky in UK law. The aim is to help support action against counterfeiting.
The new provisions would define five categories of Scotch whisky: single malt, single grain, blended, blended malt and blended grain; and five geographical areas, Highland, Lowland, Speyside, Campbeltown and Islay, which will only be allowed to be applied to whiskies made entirely within the area named.
It will also be necessary for all whisky sold as Scotch to have been wholly matured in Scotland.
Mr Benn said: "This consultation exercise will take us another step closer to strengthening the UK legislation that the Scotch Whisky Association have been telling us they need to help them protect Scotch whisky in export markets.
Scotch whisky exports are worth more than £2 billion to the Scottish economy every year.