English whisky? I am outraged at the thought of it, says Emma Harper

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1 year ago

Emma Harper MSP, Ballantine’s Finest Scotch Whisky and First Minister John Swinney.

By Bill Heaney

Emma Harper, a List MSP for the south of Scotland, made a spirited speech on behalf of Scotch Whisky in the Holyrood parliament on Thursday.

She asked: “Does the First Minister share my disbelief and outrage regarding the United Kingdom Government consulting on giving English whisky a geographical indication, which would give it the same status as Scottish single malt?

“If approved, that move—which has been entirely enabled by Brexit—would trample on the reputation and tradition of our whisky industry and our Scottish brand.

“Does the First Minister agree with the Scotch Whisky Association’s view that the integrity of our single malt would be damaged by inferior whisky product, which could potentially harm industry, jobs and trade, including in the new distilleries in the south of Scotland and, indeed, across wider Scotland?”

The First Minister John Swinney said he shared the concerns that have been expressed by Emma Harper and by the Scotch Whisky Association, which I know understands the importance of the designation of Scotch whisky.

“The association promotes and engages substantively with Parliament on that designation, which enables Scotch whisky to have such a powerful position in the international marketplace.

“I assure Emma Harper that the Government will make all necessary representations on the issue to protect the identity and the character of Scotch whisky.”

By Bill Heaney

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