The Irish Whiskey Association (IWA) has announced that it is currently on a visit to Washington, DC, to attend pre-St Patrick’s Day meetings with senior US government officials and members of Congress.
According to the lead representative body for the all-island Irish whiskey industry, yesterday (Wednesday 14 March), the delegation joined colleagues from the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States in a meeting in the White House with senior staff members from the Biden Administration.
Earlier this week, the delegation attended Irish whiskey promotional events in New York and Philadelphia.
Planned Meetings
The IWA noted that, over the course of the next few days, further meetings are planned with the US Department of the Treasury and the Office of the United States Trade Representative.
The delegation is also planning to hold a series of meetings in the US Congress, including with Congressman Richard Neal, who is co-chair of the Friends of Ireland caucus, an organisation set up to advance the cause of peace in Northern Ireland.
Programme Of Events
The IWA is using the visit to Washington, DC ‘to push for increased protection for Irish whiskey in the US, in the context of the rise of imitation Irish-like and Irish-style whiskeys.’
The IWA and the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States are also using joint meetings this week to press for the permanent ending of a number of currently suspended transatlantic trade disputes.
Commenting on the visit, William Lavelle, director, IWA, said, “The United States remains Irish whiskey’s largest market, accounting for over 40% of our global sales.
“This visit is about putting in place the conditions for continued growth of authentic Irish whiskey, benefitting the whole island of Ireland.”
Read More: Irish Whiskey Export Value Exceeds €1bn In 2022
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