Simon Coveney strengthens spirit drinks regulations

New regulations to protect the integrity of a number of key Irish spirit drinks products such as whiskey, poitin and cream were announced yesterday.

Agriculture, Food and Marine Minister Simon Coveney said these regulations provide critically important protection for Irish companies in developing the Irish spirit drinks sector.

He said the sector has ambitious plans to establish a number of new distilleries to meet the growing demand worldwide. Irish whiskey, Irish poitín and Irish cream are protected “Geographical Indications” under European Law. This means they must be produced on the Island of Ireland in accordance with strict technical specifications notified to the European Commission.