Highland MPs welcome u-turn on single malt whisky definition after concerns of impact on Scotch whisky industry
Highland MPs have welcomed the UK Government’s decision not to change the definition of English single malt whisky after a heated debate on the impact it could have on the Scotch whisky industry.
This follows an attempt by the English Whisky Guild to see a GI for English whisky introduced, under which the definition of single malt would follow different rules from the specification for single malt Scotch whisky – whereas the latter has to be fully produced within one distillery, the new definition would have required the spirit only to be distilled at one facility, to be called English single malt.
That would have potentially allowed parts of the production process, such as mashing and fermenting, to be carried out at different distilleries, sparking concern that this application would devalue the single malt market and damage the valuable reputation of Scotch Whisky by opening the market up to cheaper, lower quality products.
On Tuesday, Chief Secretary to the Treasury Darren Jones said he had spoken to Ministers from DEFRA to confirm that the definition of single malt whisky would not be “watered down”.
MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross Jamie Stone has welcomed the UK Government’s reassurance that it will not be altering the definition of Single Malt Whisky.
He said: “I am delighted that sense has prevailed. The UK Government has done well to ensure that one of its most successful exports, by value, is not undermined. This would not have served Scotland, nor the rest of the UK.
“The reputation of a Scottish Single Malt Whisky is famous worldwide - and a source of great pride for Scots.
“What’s more, I know that in my constituency of Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, great distilleries such as Glenmorangie are extremely valuable local employers. I was not going to stand idly by whilst a bid to maximise profits threatened the livelihood of so many Highlanders.”
Following the EWG’s application, Mr Stone tabled a parliamentary motion calling for the protection of the Scottish Single Malt Whisky category and wrote to the Secretary of State for the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) requesting the UK Government intervene in this matter.
Another MP to welcome Mr Jones’ statement was MP for Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey Graham Leadbitter - who represents one-third of Scotland’s whisky distilleries and is a Vice-Chair of the APPG on scotch whisky.
He said: “It was completely absurd for the Labour UK Government to even entertain the idea of changing the definition of single malt whisky to suit English distilleries. For weeks Labour Ministers, including Sir Keir Starmer, refused to answer questions from the SNP on the protection of the scotch whisky brand, but they’ve finally rowed back.
“Now the Labour UK Government must get behind Scotland’s world-class industry and cut the taxes that they raised in the budget which is hammering scotch whisky – it was a complete deception for the Labour Party to make grand promises to the sector pre-election only to scorn it with higher duties as soon as they got their feet in the door of Downing Street.
“Here in Scotland, we are fortunate to be home to a product recognised around the world for its quality. We should show the same recognition and love for it that the rest of the world does which is why the SNP will always put Scotch Whisky first. It's time the Labour Party did too."
