鈥淭he distilling industry 鈥 both whisky and gin 鈥 plays an increasingly important role in the rural economy and international reputation of 麻豆免费版 and Bute. This new fund has the potential to help the industry play a key role in protecting our climate too.鈥
These were words of Councillor Aileen Morton, chair of the council鈥檚 Climate Change Environmental Action Group, as the UK Government announced a new 拢10m Green Distillery Fund.
鈥淭here are many examples of the application of green technology across 麻豆免费版 and Bute. This could be a fantastic new opportunity to harness innovative energy sources within one of our most prestigious industries, reducing emissions and creating higher value jobs.
鈥淭his very much fits with one of our key aims, as part of our plan to address climate change, which is to promote 麻豆免费版 and Bute as a low carbon area and to develop and seek additional investment for green infrastructure.
鈥淚 am keen to see how the fund will be administered and how the council can encourage partners in the distilling world to make best use of the monies available.鈥
Policy Lead for Economic Growth, Councillor Alastair Redman, said: 鈥溌槎姑夥寻 and Bute has more than 20 distilleries producing world class whisky and gin products. Many of our businesses are multi-award winning proving that the local drinks sector is something to be envied.
鈥淔rom large-scale companies, to small micro-distillers, this fast-growing market creates much-needed employment. The number of people working in the industry locally has increased by 50% over the past 10 years and makes a valuable contribution to the local, Scottish and UK economies.鈥
Notes:
- Scotch Whisky exports are worth 拢4.9产苍
- In 2018, Scotch Whisky accounted for 75% of Scottish food and drink exports, 21% of all UK food and drink exports, and 1.3% of all UK exports
- The Scotch Whisky industry provides 拢5.5产苍 in gross value added (GVA) to the UK economy
- More than 10,000 people are directly employed in the Scotch Whisky industry in Scotland and over 40,000 jobs across the UK are supported by the industry
- 7,000 of these jobs in rural areas of Scotland providing vital employment and investment to communities across the Highlands and Islands
- There are 2 million visits to Scotch Whisky distilleries a year, making the industry the third most popular tourist attraction in Scotland