ANAS Sarwar has been called out for making a “misleading” claim about Brazil recently granting special protected status to Scotch whisky.
The Scottish Labour leader took to Twitter to hail the news, which was officially announced yesterday.
“A Labour government delivering for Scotland,” he wrote.
But the decision to grant legal recognition of Scotch whisky’s special status was actually finalised in June during the UK’s pre-election period, before Labour took power.
It wasn’t announced at the time because ministers had to exercise caution in making announcements which might affect the election campaign.
Brazil confirmed the welcome decision to grant GI status to Scotch Whisky in June, prior to the General Election. https://t.co/SXJaMQimBq
— Tom Arthur (@ThomasCArthur) August 21, 2024
Scotland’s Public Finance Minister Tom Arthur called out Sarwar taking credit for the news, writing on Twitter/X: “Brazil confirmed the welcome decision to grant GI status to Scotch Whisky in June, prior to the General Election.”
SNP MSP for Glasgow Cathcart, James Dornan, responded: “I hope you're not suggesting that Mr Sarwar is trying to mislead the people of Scotland.”
Other social media users also called out Sarwar for the "misleading" claim and "taking credit".
The announcement means Scotch whisky now has a Geographical Indication in Brazil, making it easier to tackle counterfeits and giving distillers the confidence to increase their exports to the country.
The Department of Business and Trade said the move could be worth around £25 million over five years.
Exports of UK products with a Geographical Indication are estimated to be worth more than £6 billion per year.
Scotch exports alone were worth £5.6bn in 2023, accounting for 74% of Scottish food and drink exports and 22% of all UK food and drink exports.
Mark Kent, chief executive at the Scotch Whisky Association, said: “As the first foreign product to be granted Denomination of Origin status in Brazil since 2019, Scotch whisky now sits beside Tequila, Cognac and Champagne with special legal protection.
“This is fundamental to ensure that millions of Brazilians can have confidence in the quality and history of what they’re buying.”
