Scotch whisky to get more piracy protection

LONDON (Reuters) - Scotch whisky is to be given greater protection against counterfeiting, under a consultation launched on Monday by the government.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs launched the consultation on draft legislation that aims to strengthen the definitions of Scotch to help fight global counterfeiting.

The government aims to introduce the legislation in spring next year.

The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) has said it can be fighting up to 70 court cases around the world at any one time against overseas manufacturers who use tartan designs or pictures of pipers on their packaging, or who give their whisky names which are supposed to sound Scottish.

The proposed regulations will strictly regulate the descriptions and geographical locations that can be used on whisky bottles.

Whisky will be strictly defined under one of five categories: single malt, single grain, blended, blended malt and blended grain.

Distillers will also be allowed to attach one of five regional names -- Highland, Lowland, Speyside, Campbeltown, Islay -- but will be barred from labelling whisky with the name of a distillery or a similar name if it is not a product of that distillery.

Des Browne, the secretary of state for Scotland, said: "Not only is Scotch whisky one of our most iconic products, it is also economically hugely significant with exports worth 2.5 billion pounds each year.

"Once the proposed legislation is enacted, Scotch whisky, and in particular, single malt Scotch whisky, will be defined by law in Scotland, the UK, the EU and nearly every export market around the globe."

Gavin Hewitt, chief executive of the SWA, which has helped produce the draft regulations, said the body's members would be "delighted" that the Scotch whisky industry's "international significance and important contribution to the economy have been recognised".

"The legislation will put in place a robust and comprehensive legal framework for Scotch whisky, improving its protection from unfair practices globally, and ensuring consumers receive clear and consistent product information," he added.

(Reporting by Jennifer Hill; editing by Tim Castle)