MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
UK launches scheme to protect Scotch whisky industry from fake products
“The booming Scotch whisky industry is a huge asset to Scotland and the UK” A new scheme has been launched to protect the Scotch whisky industry from fake or sub-standard products. The Spirit Drinks Verification Scheme has been set up by the UK government to help consumers identify genuine UK-made products.
Producers will have to sign up for the scheme if they want to sell within the European Union. Scotch Whisky is the first drink to be covered. The industry said the measure would be “warmly welcomed”.
Protection under the new rules will in future be extended to other drinks with a geographical origin, such as Somerset Cider Brandy and whiskey from Northern Ireland.
Producers, blenders, bottlers, labelers and bulk importers will need to apply to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) if they want to be verified.
HMRC will carry out checks on all businesses involved in the production of the spirits to make sure they meet strict EU requirements.
Scotch Whisky Association chief executive David Frost said: “This is a step change in the protection of Scotch whisky and should be warmly welcomed.
”We fully support the introduction of the verification scheme by the UK government. It will give even more protection to consumers of Scotch whisky. It will greatly improve the industry's ability to stop the sale of adulterated Scotch whiskies bottled abroad.“
Launching the scheme, Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander said: ”The verification scheme will make sure people who buy Scotch get what they pay for - the finest spirit in the world.
“The Scotch whisky industry is now worth around £4bn to the Scottish economy and employs more than 10,000 people in Scotland.
”The booming Scotch whisky industry is a huge asset to Scotland and the UK which benefits from being part of the UK and European market.“
Scottish Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead said: ”With Scotch whisky being an iconic and global brand, it is only right that those who are looking to buy this premium Scottish product are offered a guarantee that ensures they are protected from fakes or inferior products.
“Scotch Whisky accounts for a quarter of all UK food and drink exports, earning £135 every second, demonstrating the sector's importance to the Scottish economy.
”The industry must be allowed to do all it can to reduce the impact of those who seek to exploit its good name for their own financial gain”.
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Read all commentsA good move. It protects the producers and the consumers from dangerous look-a-like products. I remember 50 years ago, as a Customs and Excise Officer, I had to sign certificates of origin for Scotch Whisky exported to the USA.
Jan 11th, 2014 - 11:30 am 0Another feature was the introduction of ROPP caps on the bottles which prevented them from being refilled with local hooch and passed off as the genuine article. Some of the “refills” were of methyl alcohol which could destroy the eyesight of the drinker or kill them.
Strangely enough, it was the South American market where these caps were required.
Something needs to be done to protect the public from false marked products.
I can also remember the case where we - ( HM C&E )- found a consignment of Ferodo brake shoes from Hong Kong with the linings made of compressed cardboard !
There have been plenty of schemes to protect the consumer and I for one will never buy electrical equipment without UK or European Approvals TESTS, not the self certification CE mark which appears to be the thing touted here.
Jan 11th, 2014 - 04:26 pm 0But I am unique, even now in the UK. try asking an “associate” in one of the major electrical outlets in the UK if the product is Kitemarked and all you get is a gormless grin. It's pathetic the lack of training these people get.
”I can also remember the case where we - ( HM C&E )- found a consignment of Ferodo brake shoes from Hong Kong with the linings made of compressed cardboard !”
I am shocked, I tell you, shocked! You mean they are NOT compressed cardboard! :o)
There's a lot of fake Scotch around, sometimes they are not what they seem..
Jan 11th, 2014 - 05:06 pm 0As well as the plethora of Scotch Single Malts, some of the Irish and Japanese ones are good too. There is now an English Whiskey and the Welsh are at it too. And of course our American cousins make many excellent Whiskeys to enjoy. Perhaps I missed something but I never saw local Whiskeys in Argentina?
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