SNP President Ian Hudghton MEP today (Tuesday) voted in favour of amended European rules on spirit labelling that will allow Scottish spirit producers to continue making and selling vodka.

The European Parliament was voting on proposed rules to regulate spirit drink labelling and some MEPs wanted to restrict use of the term 'vodka' exclusively to the drink made from grain or potatoes.

But an SNP backed compromise deal - supported by the Scottish drinks industry - means that vodka produced in Scotland from other agricultural ingredients can continue to be produced and marketed as 'vodka'.

Speaking after the vote in Strasbourg, the SNP's Ian Hudghton said:

"I'm pleased we've been able to achieve this compromise. Scotland may be most famous for its production of Scotch Whisky, but we have other national drinks, including a very substantial economic interest in Vodka production and bottling.

"This definition has been the subject of intense debate and there has been a great deal of lobbying from Polish and Nordic vodka producing nations who wanted to restrict use of the term to only cover vodka made from potatoes or grain. We've secured a common sense compromise that has the support of our industry and the majority of MEPs. It's now over to EU governments to sign up in the coming weeks."


Note: MEPs meeting in Strasbourg approved at first reading a compromise on the labelling and definition of spirit drinks which will allow vodka to be produced from any agricultural material provided it is appropriately labelled. The deal will be put before a meeting of Ministers from EU member states for a final vote on 28-29 June.