The British government is taking steps to protect the $6.6 billion Scotch whisky industry, the 10th biggest manufactured product in the U.K. Fake Scotch whisky is costing the industry about $820 million a year, according to The Scotsman newspaper.
The industry is supporting voluntary registration guaranteeing that the whisky was produced in accordance with laws of the European Union. According to The Wall Street Journal, the EU guidelines require whiskies to be aged in oak casks in Scotland for at least three years to be considered legally Scotch. The EU strenuously protects a multitude of foods and beverages based on the geographical area of production such as Champagne, Cognac, Parma ham and Roquefort cheese ensuring that consumers actually get what they pay for.
Scotch whisky is a $7 billion industry employing about 10,000 people. Most Scotch is exported as domestic sales have slumped to just 10% and falling. Could it be because the British government applies a tax of almost 80 percent on domestic sales?
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