PLANS BY Eurocrats to attach “Made in EU” labels to quality Scottish products were blasted as “madcap” last night, writes Steve Bargeton, political editor.

The plans form part of an internal working document being discussed by senior commission officials with a view to preparing draft legislation for debate in the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers. If approved, Scots products such as whisky, kilts, sporrans and shortbread would be forced to carry the EU label.

Last night Scottish Tory MEP Struan Stevenson said the scheme could mark the end of the prestigious “Made in Scotland” label.

“This latest madcap scheme from the commission could spell the death knell for traditional national origin labels like Made in Scotland,” he said. “It would add unnecessary costs to Scots manufacturers, cause consumers confusion and send out negative signals.

“In their haste to promote the EU abroad, the commission is simply going to add more costs, red tape and bureaucracy, to businesses already overburdened by unnecessary regulation from Brussels.”

He said the Made in Scotland label was part of the success of marketing Scots products abroad. “Scotland has some of the best loved brands across the world,” he said. “We are certainly not going to benefit by having to label these as having been Made in the EU.”