Asked by: Kerr, Liam (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party - North East Scotland)
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on (a) what the outcomes were of the Lifting the Spirit trial at Elgin in 2013 and (b) whether it was operationally successful, and what it did to build on that trial.
Answered by Hyslop, Fiona - Minister for Transport
The movement of freight is a commercial matter and the Scottish Government’s leadership in support for rail freight is outlined in our 2016 rail freight strategy, and put into practice with significant investment, a freight-first approach, and through our regulatory rail freight growth targets. The Lifting the Spirit Trial at Elgin in 2013 was led by regional transport partnership HITRANS, in partnership with the Scotch Whisky Association, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Moray Council and the EU Food Port. Their report is publicly available with lessons learnt. It is for the industry to lead on any follow up activities and Network Rail remains engaged with the industry through the Scotland Freight Joint Board and works with Freight Operating Companies and Freight End Users to enable modal shift to rail.
Mar. 28 2024
Source Page: Ministerial Quarterly Transparency Return : Oct 2023 - Dec 2023Found: Tourism Alliance, Association of British Insurers Property federation, UK Hospitality Scotland, The Scotch
Nov. 01 2023
Source Page: FM meetings: FOI ReviewFound: Top lines on the Scotch Whisky sector The Scotch Whisky industry is extremely valuable to the Scottish
Dec. 06 2023
Source Page: Correspondence and minutes regarding Jenny Gilruth and the Islay Ferry Committee: FOI releaseFound: • There are currently 141 operating Scotch Whisky distilleries across Scotland.
Asked by: Jamie Stone (Liberal Democrat - Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to support the whisky industry.
Answered by Alister Jack
I am in regular contact with Cabinet colleagues on a range of issues of importance to Scotland’s whisky industry.
Scotland’s whisky industry continues to go from strength to strength at home and abroad, and Scotch whisky is the UK’s premier food and drink export. I want Scottish producers to take full advantage of the new trade deals the UK Government is striking around the world.
In this vein, earlier this month I visited Vietnam, a key growth market for Scotch whisky, where along with representatives from the Scotch Whisky Association, I hosted a whisky reception for key business leaders in Hanoi.
Nov. 20 2023
Source Page: UK’s agri-food and drink attachés backing British food and drinkFound: an industry brunch hosted by NFU President Minette Batters, in addition to further meetings with the Scotch
Jan. 25 2024
Source Page: Legal advice and counsel exceeding £50,000, 2017-23: FOI releaseFound: Caveats 55,143.40£ Scotch Whisky Association 493,927.67£ Ross Estates Limited 155,774.75£ 64,362.30
Dec. 21 2023
Source Page: Review of The Spirit Drinks (Costs of Verification) Regulations 2013Found: verification schemes for Irish Whiskey, Irish Cream and Irish Poteen produced in Northern Ireland, Scotch
Mentions:
1: David Mundell (Con - Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale) been great progress in promoting and increasing the export of traditional Scottish products, such as whisky - Speech Link
2: Allan Dorans (SNP - Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock) India is the second largest market for Scottish whisky in the world, making it an extremely important - Speech Link
3: Greg Hands (Con - Chelsea and Fulham) However, I can tell him that Scotch whisky tariffs are very much part of that negotiation; everybody - Speech Link