UK moves to protect genuine scotch whisky from imitators

The United Kingdom has launched a scheme to protect the Scotch whisky industry from fake or sub-standard products.

In a move that should worry Indian-made "scotch"  producers like Indian liquor baron Vijay Mallya, the UK government has decided that anyone involved in producing Scotland's national dram will have to sign up to the Spirit Drinks Verification Scheme, set up 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.

British treasury chief secretary Danny Alexander visited a Scottish whisky distillery on Saturday at the launch of a new scheme, under which HM Revenue & Customs will undertake checks on all businesses involved in the production of these spirits – everything from fermenting and distilling to bottling and labelling – and make sure that they meet strict EU requirements.

The industry said the measure would be "warmly welcomed".

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, 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 £4 billion to the Scottish economy and employs more than 10,000 people in Scotland. The booming industry is a huge asset to Scotland and the UK."

Scotch whisky will be the first major UK spirit to be protected under the scheme, which in time is likely to be extended to other UK drinks with a geographical origin, such as Somerset Cider Brandy and Irish whiskey produced in Northern Ireland.