EU chief’s warning on Scotch... and smokies

THE EU’s chief Brexit negotiator issued a warning to Scotland’s whisky and food industries as he said a deal has still to be reached on protected food names.

Michel Barnier revealed the UK Government and the EU have not reached an agreement on geographical indications (GIs), which stop products being copied by firms outside the area where they are made.

Some of Scotland’s most successful exports such as Scotch whisky, wild salmon, beef and lamb have GI status.

But Mr Barnier warned this could end when the UK leaves the EU next March, as legal protection afforded to products such as Arbroath Smokies had not been secured.

Only whisky made in Scotland can be called Scotch under GI protections.

A Scotch Whisky Association spokesman said: ‘There is no reason to believe that Scotch Whisky, which has been an EU GI since 1989, will not continue to be a GI in the EU post-Brexit.’

The UK Government wants to set up its own scheme after Brexit, which it says will provide ‘continuous protection’ for UK GIs domestically.

Yesterday, Scottish Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing described Mr Barnier’s comments as ‘extremely alarming’.

He said: ‘Maintaining our Geographical Indications following Brexit is vital.’

A UK Government spokesman said: ‘GIs are very important to both the UK, both culturally and economically, and that is why we will establish specific GI schemes to protect UK GIs in the future.

‘This means favourites such as Scotch whisky, Scotch beef and lamb, Scottish wild salmon – and all other current UK GI protected products will continue to be safeguarded in the UK when we leave the EU.’

‘Extremely alarming’