SWA chief executive David Frost said:“Voters have spoken and decided that the UK should leave the European Union. All must now get behind the government as it faces the challenges, and the opportunities, this decision brings.
“The process of leaving the EU will inevitably generate significant uncertainty. Of course, we are confident scotch whisky will remain the pre-eminent international spirit drink. But equally, there are serious issues to resolve in areas of major importance to our industry and which require urgent attention, notably the nature of future trade arrangements with both the single market and the wider world.
“The government will now need to consult as it prepares its negotiating approach. We look forward to working closely with them on that. We urge thoughtful and serious consideration by all parties so that we can secure the best possible continued access to the EU and other export markets on which Scotch Whisky’s success has been built, whilst minimising costs and complexity,” said Frost.
Hush Heath wine producer Richard Balfour- Lynn said: “Leaving the EU is a great opportunity for the English wine industry to reduce duty and encourage more home-grown sales. It may well mean that the prices of European wines increase here, and that English wine prices come down. Much of our export is to the US and Japan rather than the EU, and so there is unlikely to be a huge impact when it comes to the export of our premium English wines.”
