With Scotland’s malting barley crop on the cusp of harvest it appears there is soon to be a cross-industry summit to discuss the future of the whisky production chain.
There also seemed to be some jostling for position, with NFU Scotland calling on the Scottish Government to arrange such an event, and Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead immediately thanking the union for supporting a proposal he had already made.
The aims seem to be the same and involve stripping away the cereal sector’s vulnerability to volatility.
Writing to Mr Lochhead, NFUS president Nigel Miller said: “Scottish growers will always be challenged by volatility, a short growing season and a challenging climate.
“However, the burgeoning success of Scotch whisky presents a unique, long-term opportunity for our growers that can support and drive sustainable production in the years ahead.
“As we move into a new CAP era, many farm businesses must review their production systems and attempt to future-proof business models.
“Clear signals and balanced contracts built around a clear vision would safeguard the future supply of crops such as malting barley and distilling wheat.
“This must be the right moment for Scottish Government to bring all players in the malt supply chain together to discuss a strategy to link growers to distilleries through a collaborative pact.
“The pact can underpin production and safeguard the crop area to ensure it is able to support the growing ambition of malt and grain whisky production.
“It can also underpin agronomic development, infrastructure and map out a strategy to build our malting capacity here in Scotland so that it better matches the scale of our distilling sector.
“The union is keen to work with Scottish Government to put a Scottish cereals summit together.”
Mr Lochhead responded quickly, saying; “We must do all we can to support every stage of whisky production here in Scotland to maintain its provenance credentials.
“That is why, following discussions with various stakeholders, I am proposing to host a summit in October for all those with an interest in the malt supply chain.
“I am pleased that the NFUS is supportive of this idea.”