Australia: The Scotch Whisky Association takes measures to combat Scotch whisky fakes in Australia

The Scotch whisky trademark has been won by the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA), which it says will help combat fakes on the market, Foodmagazine reported on April 23.

According to the SWA, Australia has one of the worst markets for fake whisky, with the industry body taking action against the sale of 40 brands in Australia in 2005, The Herald Scotland reports. It places blame on the removal of specific protection of scotch from the country’s Food Standards Code in 2000.

In response, the SWA sought support from the UK government and European Commission, leading to the UK’s Foreign Secretary William Hague drawing attention to the issue in bilateral meetings with the Australian government during his visit to Australia.

For a spirit to be marketed as Scotch whisky, according to SWA guidelines it must have been distilled in Scotland using malted barley, with no other ingredient added except caramel colouring and water.

SWA legal adviser Alan Park said "registration of Scotch whisky as a certification trademark is a major breakthrough and will make it easier to crack down on fakes and therefore protect consumers."

"Scotch whisky exports are of immense value to the economy so overseas protection is vital. We will be monitoring the market and will use our new protection for Scotch whisky to take decisive action against fakes," he said.

23 April, 2014