Indonesia now joins more than 100 other countries which have officially recognised Scotch as a Scottish product, produced according to traditional methods, and deserving of special protection.
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| The SWA secures GI status for Scotch whisky in Indonesia |
GI recognition means the description "Scotch whisky" can only be used on whisky produced in Scotland in accordance with strict production and labelling requirements, which include; it can only be made from the raw materials of water, cereals and yeast and matured in Scotland for at least three years in oak casks.
Commenting on the news, Lindesay Low, Legal Deputy Director of the Scotch Whisky Association, said: "Scotch Whisky is a truly global drink enjoyed in over 180 countries across the globe, and securing GI protection in Indonesia is another important step in delivering future success for Scotland and the UK's most important Food and Drink export.”
She went onto say: "Gaining increased protection for Scotch whisky is fundamental to ensuring that consumers have confidence in the quality, provenance and history of what they are buying. Our successful application to register "Scotch Whisky" as a GI in Indonesia gives the industry a much greater level of legal protection and represents another important milestone for Scotch Whisky as its popularity continues to rise in new and diverse markets."
GI’s were first formally recognised in the World Trade Organisation Agreement on trade related aspects of intellectual property rights in 1994.
The Scotch Whisky Association is also seeking to register Scotch whisky as a GI in as many countries as possible.
Posted by Steve Rush