Scotch Whisky Association welcomes Australian ‘breakthrough’ in tackling fake drinks

Scotch Whisky has been granted new certification in Australia which will help protect drinkers and the industry from fakes.

The Scotch Whisky Association said the trademark move was “a major breakthrough” into an issue which has proven a serious problem down under.

The industry body has been forced to take action to halt the sale of 40 brands in Australia since 2005, making the country one of the worst markets for fake whisky. It said the onus for policing the market had fallen entirely on the industry after specific protection for Scotch was removed from the country’s food standards code in 2000.

But the SWA said the change had come following support from the UK Government, including lobbying by Foreign Secretary William Hague, and the European Commission.

“Scotch whisky exports are of immense value to the economy so overseas protection is vital,” said Scotch Whisky Association legal adviser Alan Park.

“We will be monitoring the market and will use our new protection for Scotch whisky to take decisive action against fakes.”

Scotch whisky exports to Australia were worth £84 million last year, up 7% from £79m in 2012, making it the 12th largest overseas market by value.