Irish Minister, whiskey industry hail India-EU trade deal

Irish whiskey distillers could benefit from the European Union’s (EU) proposed trade deal with India, said Ireland’s Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon. The bloc reached a historic agreement with India this week, which is likely to open up parts of its vast market to European exporters, including those in the Republic.

“It provides significant opportunities for our spirits drinks exports, particularly for Irish whiskey, in what is both the world’s largest and fastest-growing market for our whiskey,” he told the Irish press.

The Irish Whiskey Association has also welcomed the negotiations, describing it as a major opportunity for Irish spirits exporters, say reports in the Irish press.

Under the terms of the agreement, India’s current 150 percent tariff on Irish whiskey will be halved immediately once the deal comes into force, with duties set to fall further to 40 percent over a seven-year period. The association said negotiations are continuing to secure strong protection for Geographical Indications (GI), aimed at safeguarding Irish whiskey, Irish Cream and Irish Poitín from imitation products in the Indian market.

Commenting on the development, Eoin Ó Catháin, Director of the Irish Whiskey Association, said the agreement represents a strong endorsement of the EU’s trade agenda and the global reputation of Ireland’s premium agri-food exports. While Irish whiskey has already seen significant success in India, he noted that the agreement marks “only the beginning” of the sector’s potential in the country.

Meanwhile, Martin pointed out the agreement protecting “sensitive EU agricultural sectors”, with some products excluded from liberalisation. “I note from the announcement that the EU’s most sensitive sectors, including our beef and poultry sectors, have been protected from tariff liberalisation in the agreement,” he added.

The EU commission will publish draft texts shortly, after which it will go through legal scrutiny.