US trade deal fear for Scotch whisky

FEARS have been raised that a post-Brexit trade deal with the US could see the UK’s whisky standards watered down.

The issue is expected to come up in talks after being included on a list of trade barriers drawn up by American officials.

At present, European Union rules say products can be branded as ‘whisky’ only if they have been aged for at least three years – far longer than the 12-month period in the US.

US officials have long urged the EU to loosen restrictions, arguing that the ageing requirement is ‘unwarranted’. The trade barriers document adds: ‘Advances in barrel technology enable US micro-distillers to reduce the ageing time for whisky.’

However the Scotch Whisky Association has warned against any reduction, which it argues could lead to cheaper American products flooding the UK market – currently worth £4bn to the Scottish economy.