§ Mrs. EwingTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the requirements and enforcement of legislation in EU nations regarding the definition and labelling of Scotch whisky. [27904]
§ Mr. Rooker[holding answer 12 February 1998]: Council Regulation 1576789 lays down EU rules on the definition, description and presentation of spirit drinks (including Scotch whisky) which must be enforced in all Member States. In the United Kingdom, local authorities are empowered by statutory instrument to enforce the provisions through their trading standards, environmental health and port health officers. The same officers enforce the purely domestic provisions of the statutory instrument defining Scotch whisky made under the Scotch Whisky Act 1988.