Pork pie ruling shows benefits of special status says MEP.

9.54.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 7th Oct 2008

West Midlands Euro- MP Liz Lynne has called on producers of specialist local food and drink to apply for special protected status under EU law.

Her call comes following the recent decision by the European Commission to grant special status to Melton Mowbray Pork Pies. This means that only pies produced in Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire will be allowed to use the town's name when selling their product.

However, it is not just Leicestershire with specialist produce. The West Midlands is home to a wide variety of products that are native to the region and created using local ingredients. These may also be entitled to specialist status under EU rules protecting against imitations.

Speaking today Ms Lynne, who is the Liberal Democrat Agricultural Spokesperson for England and Wales in the European Parliament said:

"The recent ruling on Melton Mowbray Pork Pies should serve as a reminder to specialist producers up and down the West Midlands that they should investigate whether they might be entitled to specially protected status.

"I, along with my colleagues in the European Parliament have already fought to ensure that some regional products are protected in this way, including Cider and Perry from Worcestershire and Herefordshire, as well as Staffordshire, Dovedale and Buxton Blue cheeses, which are made exclusively in the West Midlands. However, I want more farmers to be aware of the great benefits such status can bring.

"Protecting these regional delicacies prevents cheap imitations, ensuring they will continue to be enjoyed in years to come and also helping protect jobs in rural area. I will continue to work to help local produce gain EU protected status and would encourage more producers to come forward so this can be achieved. If any constituents feel a product should be recognised and protected I would encourage them to contact my office at Liz@lizlynne.org, to see what can be done to help."

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Across seven member states, including the UK, it is estimated that geographical indicators add a total value of around £3.5 billion a year."