Scottish whisky industry not your 'cash cow'
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Moray's MSP has called on the UK government to do more to do more to end US tariffs on Scottish whisky.
Richard Lochhead is once more urging Westminster to take action.
This follows a meeting the MSP has had with the chief executive of the Scotch Whisky Association.
Mr Lochhead said: "At my meeting with Karen Betts it was again brought home to me just how serious a situation one of our most valuable industries in Moray is facing.
"In fact, the sector is facing a triple whammy of the US tariffs, Covid, and Brexit, all of which are costing the industry dear due to a rise in costs, and reduction in exports and sales.
"We were promised by Boris Johnson that sorting out the biggest issue in particular, the US tariffs, was an absolute priority but we now know it is absolutely not.
"There is clear frustration at the UK’s lack of urgency that has resulted in a fall of £500million in exports.
"My constituents in Speyside and Moray want to see the UK Government doing more for the sector.
"I am urging the UK Government to come to the aid of the whisky industry as a matter of urgency both in the budget and by accelerating the negotiations with the new US administration to scrap the tariffs.
"The UK Government must recognise that our world-famous scotch whisky industry is much more than a cash cow, it sustains thousands of jobs across Moray and Scotland."
Donald Trump imposed tariffs in 2019 following a trade row over the level of subsidies given to European plane manufacturers.
Whisky is just one of hundreds items imported from Europe to the US which are now penalised.
Speaking about the economic impact on her industry, Ms Betts said: "In these challenging times, what’s so disappointing is the damage being caused by US tariffs.
"The US has been, for decades, our strongest and most valuable market, but Scotch Whisky is now losing considerable ground there.
"These tariffs were avoidable had the UK, EU and US governments and the European and American aerospace industries been less intransigent.
"That governments and companies have allowed their dispute to continue while the livelihoods of real people, and the future of one of Scotland’s oldest industries, are put at stake reflects badly on them."
