Last month, the Scottish Parliament’s Cross-Party Groups for Scotch Whisky and Science and Technology visited The James Hutton Institute to explore the needs, opportunities, and challenges facing Scotland’s whisky industry, and the scientific research aimed at addressing them.
Scottish whisky, worth £7.1bn to the UK, generates £5.3bn in Scotland and represents 77% of Scotland’s food and drink exports.
The industry faces growing concerns about the sustainability of key resources like barley, water, and peat, which are increasingly threatened by climate change, biodiversity loss, and geopolitical instability.
As a research-driven organization, the Hutton is committed to developing practical, industry-focused solutions for these challenges.
The International Barley Hub and Advanced Plant Growth Centre, both housed in the Hutton’s newly opened Crop Innovation Centre, funded as part of a £62m investment through the Tay Cities Region Deal (TCRD) by the UK and the Scottish Governments, are helping advance sustainability and drive innovation in the whisky industry in several ways, such as through:
- Studying barley genetics to develop improved varieties through cutting-edge breeding programmes.
- Looking into regenerative land management that supports soil health and sustainable cultivation practices for barley production.
- Researching water resource management to ensure long-term, reliable water supplies for distilleries as well as enhancing biodiversity and carbon storage.
- Working on peatland restoration to maintain vital ecosystems that sustain the industry and contribute to climate resilience.
“The Scotch whisky industry is facing several challenges, including climate change and its impact on water supply during the summer months and also the need for higher yields from barley crops while maintaining the quality of the product, Gordon Macdonald MPS, Co-Convenor of the Cross-Party Group on Scotch Whisky, said. “It was clear from the visit that the James Hutton Institute is up for that challenge and is key to unlocking a more sustainable whisky industry in future years.”
The pioneering work of the IBH, APGC, and other natural resource initiatives is vital in safeguarding Scotland’s natural wealth and reinforcing a globally significant industry. The Hutton is collaborating with stakeholders across the supply chain — from farmers to processors — to build the resilience required in these uncertain times, according to a press release.
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