Pledge to lower whisky tariffs

LEAVING the European Union will allow Britain to ‘drive down’ tariffs on Scotch whisky, UK ministers have pledged.

Scottish Secretary David Mundell said Brexit could lead to better trade deals which allow exports of whisky and other Scottish produce to soar.

Export tariffs currently range from zero to more than 150 per cent for Scotch, gin and smoked salmon.

Ahead of a visit to Islay’s Caol Ila distillery today, Mr Mundell said: ‘We are determined to open up new markets around the world for the very best whisky our distillers have to offer – and to drive down any tariffs they face.’

Whisky is worth around £5billion to the UK economy, and accounts for three-quarters of Scotland’s total food and drink exports.

Karen Betts, chief executive of the Scotch Whisky Association, said: ‘The continuing growth of Scotch whisky should be seen as a litmus test of the success of the UK’s exit from the EU.’

But the SNP’s Brexit Secretary, Michael Russell, said: ‘The Scottish Secretary should not be travelling round Scotland trying to “sell” Brexit to businesses and communities.

‘He should in fact be listening carefully to their views, understanding their fears and their annoyance at the lack of information and lack of a Tory UK Government plan, and then raising them at the Cabinet table.’