Whisky leaders call for EU zero tariffs

Whisky leaders are demanding zero tariffs be placed on sales of Scotch to Europe after Brexit.

Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) chief executive Karen Betts will say that is the “minimum” the government must deliver in negotiations.

A third of whisky exports go to Europe each year, with the SWA describing the continent as a “mature market” for its products.

With sales to other overseas nations also important, Ms Betts will also call on the government to ensure trading deals with 24 key nations provide “as good or better terms” for the sector.

Ms Betts will speak out as she addresses the SWA members’ day conference in Edinburgh today, with Deputy First Minister John Swinney also due to attend the event.

Scotch whisky exports have doubled in value in the past two decades, with sales totalling about £4.4 billion made to a combined total of 180 countries across the globe.

“We are proud of our industry’s success and of our global reach, that we are intrepid internationalists and that Scotch travels so well,” Ms Betts will say.

She will stress that the industry’s success must not “be taken for granted by government”.