Scotch Whisky Association

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Scotch Whisky is a leading Scottish export, worth over £2bn annually to the UK economy. To qualify as Scotch, whisky must be distilled in Scotland, though bottling can take place anywhere. The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) is a licensed trade association which represents over 95% of the Scotch whisky producers. The association is headed by an annually elected council of 12-16 members. The council then establishes committees to focus on areas of particular interest to the association's members. The group have offices in Edinburgh and London. According to their website the association aims to:

  • To protect the integrity of Scotch Whisky worldwide
  • To promote responsible attitudes to alcohol consumption
  • To secure fair and equal access to international markets
  • To tackle tax discrimination and secure appropriate regulation of the industry
  • To promote Scotch Whisky as a quality product made from natural raw materials
  • To represent the industry's interests at governmental level both at home and abroad

[1] On the voluntary European Commission register of interests SWA list their fields of interest for e-mail alerts on consultation as agriculture competition, consumer affairs, customs, enlargement, enterprise, environment, external relations, external trade, food safety, internal market, public health and taxation [2]. This extensive list of interests gives some insight into the extent to which the organisation is involved in key public debates within European policy circles.

Affiliations

Current Directors

[13]

Past Board Members

[14]

Members

[15]

Minimum Pricing

The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) is fiercley opposed to the introduction of minimum pricing per unit of alcohol which is supported by the public health community and the Scottish Government. SWA have been at the forefront of challenging the proposed legislation in Scotland. They claim that under European Law imposing a minimum price is against economic competition law and use the example of the European Court's rejection of the implementation of a minimum price for tobacco in France, Austria and Ireland. [16] As the SWA will know the European Court is not bound by previous rulings and therefore if it can be convinced that the measure is a step towards improving public health it may well rule in favour of minimum pricing. The Scottish Labour Party echoed the calls of hte SWA and asked the Scottish Government to state the legal basis for their plans to protect public health. Then shadow health spokesperson for Labour Cathy Jamieson said: "We have always said that the legal basis for the SNP's minimum pricing policy needed clarification." [17]

References

  1. ↑ SWA Website About SWA Last Accessed 2nd July 2007
  2. ↑ European Commission Register of Interest Representatives Scotch Whisky Association accessed 25th November 2009
  3. ↑ Federation Against Software Theft Lobbying & Liaising accessed 2nd February 2010
  4. ↑ Whisky News, June 26 2007 Global Market Review of Blended Whisky – Forecasts to 2012 accessed 9th October 2009
  5. ↑ Inverhouse History accessed 9th October 2009
  6. ↑ Scotsman Business 24th August 2009 Diageo set to report slide in sales after downturn kicks in accessed 9th October2009
  7. ↑ Beam Global Wine and Spirits, Who We Are accessed 9th October
  8. ↑ Scotsman Business 13th July 2008 Dewar's whisky boss Gray set to go accessed 9th October 2009
  9. ↑ Whisky Pages Whisky News, August 2009 accessed 9th October
  10. ↑ Equinet The Bowmore Blair Castle International Horse Trials and Country Fair accessed 9th October 2009
  11. ↑ Pernod Ricard Pierre Pringuet accessed 9th October 2009
  12. ↑ Campden FB Tuesday 13th May 2008 Whisky company toasts fifth-generation chairman accessed 9th October 2009
  13. ↑ FAME Business Database Subscription Required
  14. ↑ FAME Business Database Subscription Required
  15. ↑ SWA Website Members Directory Last Accessed 2nd July 2007
  16. ↑ Scotch Whisky Association 22nd October 2009 MINIMUM PRICING ILLEGAL EUROPEAN COURT RULES accessed 23rd February 2010
  17. ↑ BBC News Scotland 22nd October 2009 Court ruling on minimum pricing accessed 23rd February 2010
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