SCOTLAND’S Brexit Minister Michael Russell has responded with anger to news that American lobbyists want to attack Scotland’s most precious brands after Brexit.
It emerged yesterday that the lobbyists are particularly incensed at the Protected Geographical Indications the European Union gives Scottish products such as Scotch Whisky, Arbroath Smokies and Stornoway Black Pudding.
Shawna Morris of the US Dairy Export Council told reporters: “We think the ability to take a fresh look at UK regulation through the Brexit process provides the UK with a great opportunity for taking a much more reasonable approach to what’s been a very controversial issue over the years.”
Michael Russell responded: “Up until now many chemically tampered with or environmentally undesirable food products have been kept out of our shops by strong food regulation, most of which comes from Europe.
In addition it is European designation that has protected the unique reputation of prime markets for some of our best food and drink – Scotch Whisky, Stornoway Black Pudding, Arbroath Smokies to name but a few.
“Now, as part of Theresa May’s chaotic, desperate approach to Brexit, both those things are at risk. Chlorinated chicken from the USA or hormone-injected beef from South America are likely to be given the green light by a Tory government desperate for any trade deal they can get, and our precious, legally enforceable designations will also be swept away by big business in countries who can strong-arm May and [Liam] Fox into signing agreements that favour their industries.
“Incredibly, distillers in the USA are already pushing to re-define ‘Scottish Whisky’ so that even those who invented it and after whom it is named will be unable to maintain its premium position.
“If they have their way and succeed in scraping European protections, then Scotch Whisky will be merely a name on a bottle filled with something very different in Beijing or the Bronx.
“This bargain-basement version of Brexit is what the Tories have been reduced to, but it will come at a terrible cost for many large and small companies in Scotland and for our reputation in the world.”
A spokesperson for the Scotch Whisky Association said: “The SWA takes the legal protection of Scotch Whisky seriously. It is the foundation upon which the industry’s global export success is built and we will allow nothing to impede us in protecting Scotch in markets across the world.
“Scotch Whisky is very well protected globally, and this will continue irrespective of Brexit. To suggest otherwise is misleading.
“For example, in the US market, Scotch Whisky is protected under the US Federal Code as whisky produced in Scotland in accordance with UK law. This will continue post-Brexit.”
However, producers are not sure such protection will continue in the USA, especially after President Donald Trump’s attacks on the EU motor and Chinese steel industries.
The Westminster Government was also not strong in defence of Protected Geographical Indications. A spokesman for the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said: “Leaving the EU gives us a golden opportunity to secure ambitious free-trade deals while supporting farmers and producers to grow and sell more great British food. We will ensure consumers continue to have a range of high-quality food products.”
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