Irish tillage farmers have welcomed US President Donald Trump’s announcement that he will lift tariffs on Irish whiskey exports to the US.
The Irish Grain Growers Group (IGGG), however, has said it also highlights the need to strengthen the connection between Irish whiskey and Irish-grown grain.
Irish farmers recently made a public submission to the review of the Irish whiskey technical file, calling for a greater requirement for Irish-grown grain to be used in Irish whiskey.
The group said there is clear precedent as Irish cream products are required, under its technical file, to use Irish dairy cream, made from milk produced on the island of Ireland.
Equal treatment
“We are simply asking for equal treatment," an IGGG spokesperson stated. "If the Irish cream industry can have a requirement for an Irish agricultural ingredient, why should Irish tillage farmers not have the same opportunity in Irish whiskey?”
This is particularly important when tillage farmers are operating on extremely tight margins, the group highlighted, despite the considerable value Irish grain contributes to the food and drink industry.
IGGG said it believes the farmers producing the grain should have a meaningful and secure place in the great global success story of Irish whiskey.
The group said Fianna Fáil has indicated its support for this call and questioned whether other political parties might indicate where they stand at the National Ploughing Championships taking place in Screggan, Co Offaly, this week.
Irish Whiskey Association
Eoin Ó Catháin, director of the Irish Whiskey Association, said the association heartily welcomes President Donald's Trump's announcement that the tariff on Irish whiskey in the USA is to be removed.
“Nothing exemplifies the US-Ireland trade relationship better than Irish Whiskey," he said. "Last year, Irish Whiskey exports to the USA were worth €450m, while Irish distillers purchased €80m worth of US whiskey casks.
“This relationship represents thousands of jobs and millions in investment on both sides of the Atlantic, and the return to tariff-free trade for our Irish whiskey distillers will strengthen this success and lead to further growth and investment."
He said the association will continue to work with its EU and US counterparts to secure a return to the zero-for-zero arrangement for all drinks exports.
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