Born in 1946 and brought up in Cupar, Fife, I was educated at the local school - 
The issue has been raised repeatedly with the UK Government following a devastating financial year for the industry – due to high US tariffs as a result of Brexit.
It comes after the issue was raised again to the UK government in Westminster by Mr Stevenson’s colleague Brendan O’Hara MP, chair of Westminster’s APPG on Scotch whisky.
The UK’s Scotch whisky export has been reduced by a staggering 22.6% in 2020 – with losses exceeding £500million.
“The whisky industry employs 11,000 people in Scotland - with over 7,000 of those from rural areas. This clearly highlights the importance of the industry to Scotland.
“The financial loss that our whisky exports has faced is eye-watering and simply not sustainable. It is of vital importance that the UK government take action immediately.
“Sadly, this is just the latest in a long line of issues that has been created as a result of Brexit. The Tories dragged Scotland out of a major trading bloc - against our will - making our position weaker. It would seem the UK government is wilfully ignoring the fact that industries like the Scottish whisky industry are on their knees.
“Boris Johnson assured us that he would find a solution to this crisis – his government even claimed that it was their ‘top priority’. By failing to act, they have reaffirmed their position that Scotland and its industries aren’t a priority.
“If the Tories are serious about protecting our whisky industry, they must deliver a clear timetable of completion of the review on alcohol duty.”
“The financial loss that our whisky exports has faced is eye-watering and simply not sustainable. It is of vital importance that the UK government take action immediately.
“Sadly, this is just the latest in a long line of issues that has been created as a result of Brexit. The Tories dragged Scotland out of a major trading bloc - against our will - making our position weaker. It would seem the UK government is wilfully ignoring the fact that industries like the Scottish whisky industry are on their knees.
“Boris Johnson assured us that he would find a solution to this crisis – his government even claimed that it was their ‘top priority’. By failing to act, they have reaffirmed their position that Scotland and its industries aren’t a priority.
“If the Tories are serious about protecting our whisky industry, they must deliver a clear timetable of completion of the review on alcohol duty.”
