EU Protected Food name producers displayed their products at the Christmas Market held by Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs at the New Covent Garden Market.

The Cornish Sardine is the latest UK product to be recognised under the EU Protected Food Names Scheme for its quality and regional identity.

Celebrating the best regional and specialty food this country has to offer, and also highlight the benefits to food producers of applying for the EU’s Protected Food Name status.

A new code of practice on the labelling of pork and pork products is to be drawn up following agreement by pig producers, processors, major food retailers, and the food service sector.

Andy McGowan, Quality Meat Scotland - Scotch Beef and Scotch Lamb - A Scottish success story for traditional Scottish Food; Irene Bocchetta,

It is well known that only cheese made in Italy's Parma region can be called parmesan; likewise Parma ham must come from the same area. In fact, more than 300 local delicacies from France and Italy are under EU protection, while Britain has a paltry 38.

As of 9th October 2009 the application to register Watercress as a Traditional Speciality Guaranteed is under going National Consultation for the next 12 weeks. This means until 11th January 2010, the food industry at large (and small) will have the opportunity to comment or object to this application.

Any objections to the application will need to specify the grounds on which it is based.  The criteria for what constitutes admissible objections are set out in the Council Regulation (EC) No 509/2006. You can learn more about the regulations by clicking here:

http://www.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/food/industry/regional/foodname/eureg.htm

Watercress TSG Application

Namely the criteria are:

1. Non – compliance with the conditions referred to in Articles 2, 4 and 5; or
    
2. In the case of an application under Article 13 (2), that use of the name is lawful, renowned and economically significant for similar agricultural products or foodstuffs.

If you have any comments or wish to object to this application please do so in writing, and before the 11th January 2010. Send it for the attention of Irene Bocchetta either via email at Irene.bocchetta@adas.co.uk or via post to ADAS, Woodthorne, Wergs Road, Wolverhampton, WV6 8TQ

Shetland sheep breeder Richard Briggs has reported an excellent response to his Shetland Lamb products at a food fair in East Lothian.

Rural Affairs Secretary wants more Scottish food and drink producers to go for Protected Food Name status.

A campaign to gain European protection for the famous Stornoway black pudding has taken a step forward.

Butchers on Lewis are fighting for their famous dish to be awarded a special status - which would make it illegal for copy-cats to cash in on their appeal by selling imitations.

SCOTS black pudding makers are in a bitter food fight with rivals from Bury over the origin of the dish.

Stornoway in Lewis is seeking EU protected status for the chip shop and fried breakfast fave as it has been a staple grub for the island's crofters for centuries...

There were many smiling faces last Friday morning, as more and more producers of protected food name (PFN) products walked through one of the most famous doorways in the country; number 10 Downing Street. Fifteen producers had agreed to participate in a showcase event, hosted by the Food and Farming Minister Jim Fitzpatrick. The products included ...

The PGI means no one outside the protected area of the town of Melton Mowbray and its surrounding region (as set out in the application), will be able to make use of the name in any way. This includes retailers as well as farmers' markets traders. From now on, only an original Melton Mowbray pork pie can be called so.This is enormous protection for a traditional British product and secures the future for the 9 bakers involved in this application.The beauty of the EU Protected Food Name scheme is that is it not exclusive; this logo is not…

Herefordshire cider and perry have been given geographically protected status by the European Union. The EU Protected Food Name Scheme highlights regional food or drink and guards them against imitation.