Scotch whisky has secured legal protection in New Zealand after its geographical indication (GI) application to the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) was approved.

GI recognition indicates that the phrase Scotch Whisky can only be used on the bottle labels of whiskies produced in Scotland.

This expands the brew’s protection under New Zealand’s Food Standards Code, which did not previously provide a thorough legal definition of Scotch Whisky.

“Our successful application to register Scotch Whisky as a GI in New Zealand gives the industry a much greater level of legal protection.”

Under the updated definition, Scotch beverages must be made from water, cereals and yeast, and matured for a minimum of three years in oak casks.

Scotch Whisky is one of the first overseas GIs to be approved and registered by the New Zealand Intellectual Property Office.

Exports of Scotch whisky to New Zealand grew by 27% in 2017 to reach approximately £8m.

New Zealand has joined a list of more than 100 countries that have recognised Scotch Whisky as a Scottish product.

SWA’s legal deputy director Lindesay Low said: “Our successful application to register Scotch Whisky as a GI in New Zealand gives the industry a much greater level of legal protection and represents an important milestone for Scotch Whisky as its popularity increases.

“It is vital that consumers have confidence in the provenance of what they are buying, which this recognition of Scotch as a GI will help to achieve. Looking ahead, we hope that a comprehensive free trade agreement between New Zealand and the UK will be signed, following Brexit, to further improve the status of Scotch Whisky and help to build on recent market growth.”