UK govt to promote Scotch at Royal Highland Show

The Department for International Trade (DIT) will highlight the importance of Scotch whisky exports at the Royal Highland Show this week through its Exporting is Great campaign.

The UK government will be highlighting the importance of Scotch whisky at this week’s Royal Highland Show in Edinburgh

The event will take place from 20-23 June in Edinburgh, where the UK government will show its support for Scotland’s agriculture, food and farming industries.

Scottish secretary David Mundell will visit the event when it opens on Thursday. He will host a whisky reception to showcase Scotland’s distillers and to celebrate their success.

The Scotch whisky industry accounts for 70% of Scottish food and drink exports, and employs more than 10,000 people. The industry generates £5.5 billion (US$6.9bn) a year for the UK economy.

To boost sales further, the DIT will be promoting its Exporting is Great campaign at the show, encouraging Scottish food and drink businesses to join its ‘export advocates’ to offer advice and support for companies looking to expand abroad.

Furthermore, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) will promote the Food is Great Britain and Northern Ireland campaign at the show.

Mundell said: “The Royal Highland Show is an important opportunity for the UK government to hear views from farmers and others in the rural economy, and for us to talk about our plans to support them.

“Agriculture is vital to Scotland’s economy and I look forward to discussing with the industry and show-goers how the UK government can help the sector flourish.”

Last week it was revealed that the rules that govern how Scotch whisky is made have been extended to allow producers to use a greater range of casks for maturation.