Salmond confident over Chinese protection for Scotch whisky

FIRST Minister Alex Salmond said today he was confident "rapid progress" could be made in ensuring greater protection for Scotch whisky in China.

The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) applied to the Chinese Government for Scotch to be given special status two years ago.

Since then the SWA have investigated around 200 cases of fake whisky products in China.

To combat this they want Scotch whisky to be granted Geographical Indication of Origin status, which would require all products labelled as being Scotch whisky to come from Scotland.

Mr Salmond, together with SWA chief executive Gavin Hewitt, Scottish Enterprise chief executive Jack Perry and the UK Ambassador to China Sir William Ehrman, raised the issue at a meeting with Wang Yong, the Chinese Minister of Quality, Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine.

Afterwards the First Minister said they had had an "excellent meeting" on what was a "vital issue for the Scotch whisky industry".

And he said: "I am confident we can now look forward to rapid progress in securing Geographical Indication of Origin status for Scotch Whisky in China."

He went on: "The indications are that China will lead the global economy out of recession, and expanding international trade with such a major market as China is an important aspect of sustainable recovery.

"The opportunity for Scotch Whisky exports to China is enormous, given its premium status and increases in disposable income among many millions of Chinese citizens, and securing better legal protection will establish a solid platform for growth."

And Mr Hewitt said the SWA was "greatly encouraged by Mr Wang's positive response".

He added: "Today's meeting marks a significant milestone in the process, and I believe that we can now look forward to achieving Geographical Indication of Origin for Scotch Whisky in China soon.

"The GI issue is a very important one for premium products which are popular in world markets, such as Scotch Whisky, and it was excellent to get access to the top minister and officials.

"We must maintain the momentum, and the SWA will be working with Scottish Government officials and the Ambassador and his trade officials in China to close the deal."

Mr Perry stated: "The minister clearly understood the arguments about the need for Scotch to be registered as a Geographical Indication of Origin product in China.

"The Chinese Government have a positive attitude, and the minister made it very clear that the priority given to this issue by the Scottish Government and the UK Ambassador will expedite the process."

SNP Westminster leader Angus Robertson, whose Moray constituency produces more than half of Scotland's malt whisky, hailed the development as "absolutely fantastic news for the Scottish whisky industry".

He said: "Securing Geographic Indication of Origin Status has been a vital issue for the industry, and the progress between the Scottish and Chinese Governments presents important commercial opportunities for Scotland."

However Tory chief whip David McLetchie said Scottish Government plans to introduce a minimum price for alcohol could lead to other countries imposing import tariffs on whisky.

And he said the consequences of that could be "devastating" for the Scotch whisky industry.

"The Scottish Government's plans for minimum pricing of alcohol will damage the Scotch whisky industry, one of Scotland's most iconic and successful industries," Mr McLetchie said.

"The First Minister is quite simply wrong when he states that only low-quality, high-strength drinks will be affected by the minimum pricing proposals.

"According to the Scotch Whisky Association, a minimum price scheme will raise the average price of a 70cl bottle of blended spirit by 87p.

"This can only damage this vital industry which the First Minister is forever telling us he strongly supports."