China grants Geographical Indication status to Scotch Whiskey

[MrMetroid]

http://regulatorysafety.drinks-busi...al-indication-status-to-scotch-whiskey_091110

The government of China has granted 'Geographical Indication' (GI), a new legal protection, to Scotch Whiskey, which now means that any product labeled as 'Scotch Whiskey' must come from Scotland.





GI status assures consumers that produce comes from, or has been processed in a particular region renowned for the quality of such produce.



Scotch Whisky is already defined in the UK law and protected at European Union and World Trade Organisation level as a recognised GI.



The Scotch Whiskey Association applied to the Chinese Government for 'Geographical Indication' (GI) of Origin status in 2007.



Scotland First Minister Alex Salmond said that this provides a great boost for the country's world-renowned whiskey industry, strengthening efforts both to increase exports in a key market and to secure jobs across Scotland.



I'm grateful to the Chinese Government for working with the SWA and the Scottish and UK Governments to deliver the designation, which provides discerning Chinese consumers with confidence that when they buy Scotch Whisky they're buying a high-quality product from Scotland, Salmond said.



The Scotch Whisky Association has worked with a range of government departments and agencies, including the Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise, UK Trade & Investment and the UK Ambassador in Beijing over three years to secure the 'geographical indication' designation.



Scotch Whisky Association chief executive Gavin Hewitt said that it will support growth in this key market, protecting Scotch Whisky and consumers from fake products, and the association is grateful to the Scottish and UK Governments for working with it to secure this welcome protection.



More than 10,000 people are employed in Scotland's whiskey industry, which supports a further 25,000 jobs indirectly, 20% of them in rural areas. Direct shipments of Scotch Whisky to China in 2009 were valued at GBP44m.



Once indirect shipments via regional distribution centers are taken into account, export value to China was estimated at around GBP80m.

 

[Evil Eye]

Cool... I think.