English single malt status will pull the rug from Scotch Whisky
THE Prime Minister has refused to end plans that will “sabotage” Scotland’s whisky sector.
At PMQs today, SNP MP Graham Leadbitter took Sir Keir Starmer to task on Labour UK Government proposals to grant GI status to English “single malt whiskies”.
The proposals would see English whiskies operate under a different set of rules from north of the border where to meet the definition of “single malt” a whisky must be created from malted barley that has been mashed, fermented and distilled at a single site.
Under new rules an English whisky could be described as single malt as long as it is distilled at a single distillery, even if the base liquid is created elsewhere.
Speaking at PMQs, Mr Leadbitter asked:
“Mr Speaker I have the privilege to represent the home of Speyside Malts – the finest Scotch Whiskies.
“Last week the UK government unveiled damaging plans to grant a different definition of “single malt” to English producers to that of Scottish single malts.
“This is entirely inconsistent with the global reputation of the quality of single malts, and seeks to tear up a well-established dictionary definition of what a single malt is, pulling the rug from underneath the Scotch Whisky industry.
“Given the backlash from the industry and the damage this could cause to Scotch Whisky exports and jobs, will the Prime Minister do as he promised in the election by backing the industry and scrap these plans now?”
Commenting, Mr Leadbitter, who represents one-third of Scotland’s whisky distilleries and is a Vice-Chair of the APPG on Scotch Whisky, said:
“By refusing to rule out plans to change a well-established dictionary definition that contains a global recognition of the quality of a real Scottish single malt, Sir Keir Starmer is pulling the rug from Scotland’s whisky sector.
“Sir Keir Starmer should listen to the warnings from the industry, the Scottish Government, and from those across the political spectrum and immediately scrap these plans which are an act of sabotage on Scotland’s world class industry.
“The UK Labour Government has shown itself to be no friend to the industry, having previously imposed the highest level of excise duty on Scotch Whisky in the G7 despite a pre-election promise to back the sector ‘to the hilt’ – Starmer has the chance to put that right and he must seize the opportunity to do so.
“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.”
