For reasons known only to Ursula von der Leyen’s aromatherapist, the EU has suddenly decided to enforce an old trade agreement reserving the term rye whisky for Canadian and American products.
I've been doing some research on this today and have a couple of as yet unanswered questions which I have put to contacts at some of the relevant distilleries.
(1) Your piece says "the EU" is enforcing this - but so far I have only had confirmation that it is in fact a regulator in one member state that is enforcing this. I am still waiting to hear on what basis...which leads to...
(2) How is a trade agreement between the EU and Canada even enforceable against companies in the EU without associated enacting legislation? There is an EU GI for "Canadian Rye Whiskey" (which seems reasonable) from 2004. Did the EU just 'forget' to protect 'Rye Whiskey' at that time? Or decide not to (because they realised it was silly/wrong to agree to) and hope Canada wouldn't notice?
Let me know what you find out. I have letters from the European Commission dated last year saying that producers cannot use the words 'rye whisky' on their labels. But how much initiative is coming from the EU itself or from the local authorities is hard to tell.
I'm doing a followup story later this week so am interested to know what you find out.
Would you be willing to share one with me? Redacted as to recipient etc if necessary. I don't understand how a trade agreement without subsequent legislation can be enforced against these producers. So am intrigued by the language they have used.
Another theory might be that Canada wants to join the EU, like many other countries.Mark Carney in the Bank of England called out the absurdities and extra costs of Brexit.
Being in the EU single market and customs union has many benefits.
Boris made a journalistic fortune out of berating non existent EU rules.Remember his thoughts on bendy bananas?
I've been doing some research on this today and have a couple of as yet unanswered questions which I have put to contacts at some of the relevant distilleries.
(1) Your piece says "the EU" is enforcing this - but so far I have only had confirmation that it is in fact a regulator in one member state that is enforcing this. I am still waiting to hear on what basis...which leads to...
(2) How is a trade agreement between the EU and Canada even enforceable against companies in the EU without associated enacting legislation? There is an EU GI for "Canadian Rye Whiskey" (which seems reasonable) from 2004. Did the EU just 'forget' to protect 'Rye Whiskey' at that time? Or decide not to (because they realised it was silly/wrong to agree to) and hope Canada wouldn't notice?
Let me know what you find out. I have letters from the European Commission dated last year saying that producers cannot use the words 'rye whisky' on their labels. But how much initiative is coming from the EU itself or from the local authorities is hard to tell.
I'm doing a followup story later this week so am interested to know what you find out.
Would you be willing to share one with me? Redacted as to recipient etc if necessary. I don't understand how a trade agreement without subsequent legislation can be enforced against these producers. So am intrigued by the language they have used.
Another theory might be that Canada wants to join the EU, like many other countries.Mark Carney in the Bank of England called out the absurdities and extra costs of Brexit.
Being in the EU single market and customs union has many benefits.
Boris made a journalistic fortune out of berating non existent EU rules.Remember his thoughts on bendy bananas?
I remember the bananas though this seems to be a genuine example of EU craziness.