Gin maker steps in to end threat of shortage

An English gin maker has intervened to prevent an extremely dispiriting scenario: the extinction of the popular tipple's main ingredient.

Gin's distinctive flavour comes from the berries of juniper plants, which are under threat in the UK.

Juniper has been steadily declining there because of a number of factors, including lack of habitat, rabbits that overgraze on the plants, and the spread of disease.

Wild plant charity Plantlife says that juniper "faces extinction" in parts of England in 50 years.

"Such a calamity would represent more than the loss of a single plant type — [juniper] supports more than 40 species of insect and fungus that cannot survive without it," said Plantlife's Tim Wilkins.

It also means aficionados of classic English gin might need to find something else to mix with their tonic, which is why one gin maker has splashed out to save the juniper plant.

No.3 London Dry Gin has donated 1000 pounds ($1800) to the Steyning Downland Scheme, a charity that cares for juniper at one English site.

"We're absolutely thrilled that No.3 is bolstering our efforts in these ways," Mr Wilkins said.

Source: The Argus