Call To Push For Whisky Recognition

There is a golden opportunity'' for Scotland's whisky-producing regions to be recognised as world heritage sites, it has been claimed.

Richard Lochhead, Secretary for Rural Affairs, Food and Environment, made the comment after the French region of Champagne was granted Unesco World Heritage status.

He said the industry and its stakeholders - including the Scottish Government - should learn from the steps taken by Champagne, and the producers in the area, to enable Scotland to have its six whisky regions receive the same level of recognition.

Mr Lochhead said: This is excellent news for Champagne, and rightfully deserved - and I now hope this could open up a golden opportunity for Scotland's many whisky-producing regions.

The Scotch whisky industry is iconic and world-famous, steeped in tradition and craft. It's now time for the industry and public sector to investigate the Champagne region's success and see what we can learn from it, for the benefit of Scotland.

Champagne is an iconic product, recognised the world over - Scotch whisky is just as iconic, if not more. This is Scotland's Year of Food and Drink - there is no better time than now to push forward and work towards our whisky-producing regions receiving the same level of recognition from Unesco as Champagne and Burgundy in France.''