SCOTLAND’S national drink has secured legal protection in New Zealand after a Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) application.
The SWA applied for Scotch whisky to be registered as a Geographical Indication (GI).
GI recognition means the description ‘Scotch whisky’ can only be used on whisky produced in Scotland in accordance with strict production and labelling requirements. Requirements include that Scotch only be made from the raw materials of water, cereals and yeast and matured in Scotland for at least three years in oak casks.
Scotch whisky is the first foreign GI to be registered by the New Zealand Intellectual Property Office. New Zealand’s GI scheme is designed to give greater legal protection to domestic and international wines and spirits and protect consumers against fakes.
The granting of GI status for “Scotch Whisky” greatly enhances the basic protection previously given under New Zealand’s Food Standards Code, which did not contain a comprehensive legal definition of Scotch Whisky. This development comes on the back of a strong year for Scotch in New Zealand as exports rose by 27 per cent in 2017 to almost £8 million.
New Zealand now joins more than 100 other countries which have officially recognised Scotch whisky as a Scottish product, produced according to traditional methods, and deserving of special protection.
Lindesay Low of the SWA, said: “Until recently a gap existed within the New Zealand Food Standards Code which made it comparatively difficult to prevent the sale of spirits being passed off as ‘Scotch’ in New Zealand.
“In working to close this loophole, the industry has enjoyed great support from the British High Commission in Wellington, as well as the Intellectual Property Office New Zealand.
“Our successful application to register “Scotch Whisky” as a GI in New Zealand gives the industry a much greater level of legal protection and represents an important milestone for Scotch Whisky as its popularity increases.
“It is vital consumers have confidence in the provenance of what they are buying which recognition of Scotch as a GI will help to achieve ... We hope a free trade agreement between New Zealand and the UK will be signed, following Brexit, to further improve the status of Scotch whisky and help build on market growth.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel