Scot Lib Dems defend Scotch whisky against changes to single malt definition

Scottish Liberal Democrat MP Wendy Chamberlain has today secured an Urgent Question in the House of Commons, forcing the UK Government to answer concerns over DEFRA's decision to approve a new definition of English Single Malt Whisky.

The North East Fife MP, who is Chair of the APPG for Scotch Whisky, challenged ministers over the approval of an English Whisky Geographical Indication application which allows English Single Malt Whisky to be produced under different rules from Scotch Single Malt Whisky.

While making clear that she supports Geographical Indication status for English whisky, Chamberlain raised concerns that the new definition weakens the established meaning of "single malt" and risks disadvantaging Scotch producers who have invested to meet traditional production standards, including North East Fife distilleries Kingsbarns, Eden Mill, Daftmill and Lindores.

During the Urgent Question, she also criticised the timing of the announcement, which was made at 5pm on Friday before recess, leaving limited opportunity for parliamentary scrutiny ahead of the 8 October appeal deadline.

Speaking after the Urgent Question, Wendy Chamberlain MP said:

“Scotch whisky is one of our most important export industries and supports jobs, tourism and investment across Scotland and the UK. The Government must explain why it has approved a definition that risks undermining that reputation and creating an uneven playing field for producers.

“This is not about opposing English whisky. The issue is protecting the integrity and reputation of single malt whisky, a category that consumers around the world understand to mean a whisky produced entirely at one distillery.

“That is why I was pleased to secure an Urgent Question today, to ensure this decision is properly scrutinised before the appeal deadline.

“I hope that the Minister will take away the points made and rectify this decision.”

Speaking in the debate, Liberal Democrat Scottish Affairs spokesperson, Susan Murray MP said:

"Can the minister tell distillers in Scotland, like those who invested £12 million in the Port of Leith distillery in Edinburgh, in order to achieve the prized Scottish single malt label, which I visited with the Scottish Affairs Committee earlier this year, why English producers will be able to use the same single malt label without playing by the same rules?”

Speaking after the session, Ms Murray said:

"Scotch whisky producers must meet stringent rules to achieve the prized Scotch single malt label.  English producers should be held to the same quality standard to use the same label."