News: Charlie McConalogue sends letter of support as Irish whiskey lobby seeks protection for product in America [Irish Independent]
Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue expressed support ahead of key meeting. Credit: Irish Independent
“Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue sent a letter of support to the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) in advance of its meeting last month with the Irish Whiskey Association (IWA), the sector’s largest lobby group which is seeking enhanced protections for Irish whiskey in America.
While “Irish whiskey” is a geographical indication (GI) under European Union legislation — ensuring anything labelled as such has to be produced on the island of Ireland — this status is not currently recognised in the US, where the beverage is only considered a “distinctive product of Ireland”.”