Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 15 January 2026
15 Jan 2026 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
General Question Time
Scotch Whisky Industry (Importance of Supply Chain)
The Scotch whisky industry is one of Scotland’s most significant economic sectors, contributing more than £5 billion in exports, and a resilient, competitive supply chain is essential to its continued success. The industry supports thousands of jobs across Scotland, not only in distillation and maturation but in farming, malting, packaging, logistics, engineering, tourism and professional services.
The wider supply chain is therefore integral to national economic growth, rural sustainability and export performance, and it is crucial to safeguarding the global reputation of Scotch whisky and ensuring the long-term competitiveness of the sector.
In the same item of business
4. Jamie Hepburn (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP)
SNP
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the importance of the supply chain to the Scotch whisky industry. (S6O-05374)
The Minister for Business and Employment (Richard Lochhead)
SNP
The Scotch whisky industry is one of Scotland’s most significant economic sectors, contributing more than £5 billion in exports, and a resilient, competitive...
Jamie Hepburn
SNP
The First Minister has led from the front to protect Scotch whisky from US tariffs, taking the case directly to the US Government. Does the minister have any...
Richard Lochhead
SNP
Jamie Hepburn makes a good point—the whisky sector is not just about distillers but about the wider supply chain, which benefits constituencies such as Jamie...
Craig Hoy (South Scotland) (Con)
Con
I recently visited the Annandale distillery in Dumfriesshire and was impressed by its commitment to reaching net zero, with a significant investment in a mul...
Richard Lochhead
SNP
I have not had the privilege of visiting that distillery in the member’s region, but perhaps one day I will have the opportunity to do so. In recent years, ...