The Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) has proposed the introduction of a whiskey category made with 100 per cent Irish grain, a submission that matters to institute professionals as it places IFA in direct tension with other trade bodies over the same whiskey geographical indication consultation. The submission also opposes the use of exotic grains such as rice in whiskey production, calling for only Irish grown cereals to be permitted and strictly enforced.

IFA is Ireland's largest farm representative body, based at the Irish Farm Centre in Dublin, representing farmers across all agricultural sectors including tillage.

The submission sets up a direct conflict with rival trade bodies over the same regulatory file rather than a shared industry position.

Where the Irish Whiskey Association has proposed raising the pot still mash bill's other grains allowance from 5 to 30 per cent, IFA is pushing in the opposite direction, seeking exclusive use of Irish grown cereals across the category.

IFA Grain Chair John Murphy said, "The significant growth in the Irish whiskey category over the past 12 years has significantly increased demand for malted and unmalted barley, primarily for use in pot still and single malt production. This has made a meaningful contribution to supporting tillage farm incomes." He added, "For Grain Irish Whiskey, the largest Irish whiskey category, a significant quantity of maize is imported annually from France as the main raw material. Tillage farmers believe this is disingenuous and damaging to the authenticity of the Irish whiskey brand."

For the sector, two trade bodies submitting opposing amendments to the same consultation illustrates how a single regulatory file can pit primary producers against processors within one supply chain. For the sector's tillage farmers specifically, capturing a labelled Irish grain premium depends on winning language in the final specification that distillers currently have no commercial incentive to support.

Whether the final specification favours flexibility for distillers or exclusivity for growers will determine which side of Irish whiskey's supply chain captures more value from the category's next phase of growth.

Source: IFA / Ibec Drinks Ireland