Moray SNP News

LOCHHEAD EXPRESSES CONCERN OVER WHISKY TARIFF THREATS

Moray’s SNP MSP has expressed his concerns over the threats of tariffs for Scotch whisky as part of an ongoing trade war between the EU and the US.  

Commenting Richard Lochhead MSP said:

“I’m deeply concerned about Scotch whisky being caught up in this long-running trade dispute between the United States and the EU.

“Scotch whisky exports to the US were worth over £1bn last year with global sales absolutely vital to the Speyside and Moray economy.  Our local distilleries have benefitted from duty-free access to the US and EU markets for decades, and any proposal to introduce tariffs would seriously damage trade.

“With the huge uncertainty facing the industry over Brexit, this is the last thing the industry needs.  We can’t afford for Scotch whisky to be caught in the cross-fire – we need the UK Government to make urgent representations to the EU to ensure that Scotch whisky is not collateral damage to this long-term dispute.

 Notes:

The Scotch Whisky Association statement on the dispute can be found here:

https://www.scotch-whisky.org.uk/newsroom/swa-comments-on-ustr-tariff-list/