Soper Consulting aims to provide guidance and training on the impact and application of EU legislation in the spirits sector. A key issue is on labelling, where EU and national rules have created a complicated matrix. The new (2019) EU spirit drinks regulation adds a further layer of complexity. A detailed analysis of the new regulation has been prepared by Soper Consulting: this provides guidance on how to interpret the very specific labelling rules that apply to spirits. I spent 25 years in Scottish and EU trade associations, analysing and shaping the EU legislative framework for the sector, so am uniquely placed to provide guidance and training on the impact of legislation - on definitions, labelling, taxation, bottle sizes, among others - on spirits producers selling in EU markets. Most recently, I led the EU industry's campaign when the spirit drinks regulation was negotiated so can provide insider-knowledge guidance and training on the EU's decision-making processes and can steer companies on how to approach proposed new regulations so as to ensure they get what they want.

I represented the interests of the EU spirits industry in Brussels, seeking to ensure that its views and concerns were understood at all levels. This included ensuring that the legislative framework protected longstanding traditions and freedoms; and taking action whenever internal market rules in our sector were breached by Member States. I was responsible for ensuring the new EU spirit drinks regulation maintained the current high levels of protection for European spirits producers and consumers both in the EU and globally. Dialogue and negotiations with all the EU institutions was vital to this aim.Separately, I was responsible for drafting most of the spirits industry's self regulatory proposal in response to the Commission's request for alcoholic beverage producers to provide more ingredient and nutrition information to consumers. The third major strand was seeking to ensure that the spirit sector, already competitively disadvantaged by EU excise tax rules, did not face additional barriers and burdens from the review of the excise tax structures directive.There were also a number of country - specific challenges that needed attention: excise tax discrimination in favour of some Greek spirits is now before the European Court of Justice; a similar problem in Hungary was resolved before the Court issued a ruling; and we succeeded in securing the removal of 3 environmental / labelling trade barriers in Croatia. I chaired DG AGRI's 'Civil Dialogue Group', one of the formal mechanisms through which industry concerns are discussed with EU officials.

Ensured EU legislation facilitated trade in Scotch Whisky (and other spirits), and protected its traditions. This included, among others, improving EU laws on labelling, production, allergens, bottle sizes and taxation. Acted to ensure EU laws were properly implemented by Member States and that national legislation was both appropriate and non-discriminatory. Took steps to remove breaches, travelling extensively in Europe in pursuit of these aims.Used EU enlargement negotiations to remove numerous trade barriers (tariffs, tax, labelling, intellectual property rights) in accession candidate countries. Resulted in 13 new EU Member States joining on terms acceptable to spirits sector.Represented industry at EU level through spiritsEUROPE; was rapporteur on Turkey and EU enlargement; previously chaired working groups on labelling and bottle sizes; was vice chair of European Commission’s Advisory Group on Spirit Drinks.KEY ACHIEVEMENTSRemoved tax barriers, including: victory at the European Court of Justice against Hungary; the repeal of 2 discriminatory laws in Romania (shortly before their referral to the Court); and improvements in Bulgaria which saved companies around €3 million.Built international and cross-sector team to campaign in Brussels for retention of EU bottle size law. Spirits (and wine) were the only sectors to retain their rules; they were abolished for nearly 100 others. Removed numerous trade barriers in Turkey, including complex labelling and import procedures, and secured timetable for abolition of tax discrimination. Scotch Whisky exports of £12 million in 2001 rose to nearly £50 million in 2013 (and are still growing).Worked closely with European and national officials, and industry, to improve EU laws on food labelling, spirits definitions and allergens (among others).

Closely monitored EU trade laws, preparing representations and devising strategies to ensure legislation met industry needs. Represented Scotch Whisky industry in EU-level committees to ensure a united industry approach to tackling problems and improving EU laws.Maintained detailed summaries of EU and national rules relating to alcoholic beverages, viz excise and other taxes, tax derogations, labelling and strip stamps (banderols).

Researched trade rules and proposed new laws in individual EU Member States and devised strategies / prepared representations to remove national trade barriers. Maintained database of regulations affecting whisky in individual European markets.

Produced monthly and quarterly reports on macro-economic developments in France, for use by the Treasury, Bank of England and other government departments.Researched ad hoc issues at request of senior Embassy colleagues or UK officials; these included, e.g. an analysis of all the major economic forecasting models used in France.

Part of team which: assisted UK nationals in difficulty in France; assessed passport applications; determined eligibility for UK nationality. As Pro-Consul I was involved in notarial work, including formalising signatures on legal documents and accepting declarations on oath.

Reception and courier work; security; consular assistance.