New rules and logos to protect traditional British foods such as Stilton cheese and Melton Mowbray pies were set out by the Government yesterday ahead of the UK’s departure from the EU at the end of the year. They will guarantee the authenticity of regional and traditional foods for shoppers, whilst protecting British producers from imitation.
At the end of the transition period, the new Geographical Indications (GI) schemes will make sure that traditional produce from across the UK will be granted special status to mark out their authenticity and origin, for example Scotch whisky and Welsh lamb.
The government stated that this will mean shoppers are able to buy their favourite food and drink with confidence, and producers whose foods are granted GI status will benefit from intellectual property protection so that others cannot imitate them.
GIs are valued by producers and are exemplars of the wide range of British products enjoyed around the world. They represent around a quarter of UK food and drink exports by value, approaching £6bn in export value in 2019.
GIs are only awarded to highlight regional and traditional foods whose authenticity and origin can be guaranteed. The new logos representing the protected nature of these products to consumers were unveiled yesterday and can be displayed on all British produce which is given GI status.
Environment Secretary George Eustice said: “The new UK protected food name scheme will replace the old EU one and will ensure that we continue to recognise and celebrate protected food names and local recipes across our country.
“The new logos launched today will become a staple on supermarket aisles in the UK and mean shoppers will be able to pick the best of British, from Scotch whisky and Welsh lamb to Cornish clotted cream.”
There are three UK GI logos, which were developed in conjunction with GI producers, Devolved Administrations and consumers, which mark each designation of geographical indication:
The UK GI schemes will replace the EU’s schemes on 1 January 2021.
