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Action pledge on Chinese copycats Action pledge on Chinese copycats
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The Scotch whisky brand could get greater protection after talks between Alex Salmond and a Chinese minister.The Scotch whisky brand could get greater protection after talks between Alex Salmond and a Chinese minister.
Officials said Scotland's first minister was confident China would take action against imitation spirits by the end of the year.Officials said Scotland's first minister was confident China would take action against imitation spirits by the end of the year.
Mr Salmond discussed the issue with minister for quality supervision Wang Yong during his visit to China.Mr Salmond discussed the issue with minister for quality supervision Wang Yong during his visit to China.
China is one of the fastest growing export markets for Scotch whisky, with direct exports worth £44m a year.China is one of the fastest growing export markets for Scotch whisky, with direct exports worth £44m a year.
The Scotch whisky brand already enjoys some legal protection, but the Scotch Whisky Association wants a clampdown on foreign firms using Scottish imagery to sell their products. The Scotch whisky brand already enjoys some legal protection, but the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) wants a clampdown on foreign firms using Scottish imagery to sell their products.
Industry sources said the Chinese had agreed to approach the request "positively" and would visit Scotland soon. The opportunity for Scotch whisky exports to China is enormous given its premium status and increases in disposable income First Minister Alex Salmond
The Scottish Government said it hoped rapid progress could be made. In 2007, the SWA applied to the Chinese government for geographical indication of origin status.
Since then it has investigated about 200 fake products in China.
Mr Salmond said he was confident the legal protection would soon be secured.
He said: "The indications are that China will lead the global economy out of recession, and expanding international trade with such a major market as China is an important aspect of sustainable recovery.
"The opportunity for Scotch whisky exports to China is enormous given its premium status and increases in disposable income among many millions of Chinese citizens, and securing better legal protection will establish a solid platform for growth."
SWA chief executive Gavin Hewitt welcomed the progress made in talks.
"Today's meeting marks a significant milestone in the process, and I believe that we can now look forward to achieving geographical indication of origin for Scotch whisky in China soon," he said.