The UK Government has announced new rules and logos are to be introduced to guarantee the authenticity of regional and traditional foods for shopping. The new rules and logos will help protect Welsh and other British producers from imitation.
The new and independent Geographical Indications (GI) schemes will ensure that popular and traditional produce from across the country will be granted special status to mark their authenticity and origin.
GIs are only awarded to highlight regional and traditional foods whose authenticity and origin can be guaranteed. The new logos representing the unique and protected nature of these products to consumers have been unveiled today, which can be displayed on all Welsh and other British produce which is given GI status.
Welcoming today's announcement, Tomos Dafydd Davies said:
These new rules and logos will allow consumers to buy their food and drink with confidence.
As we leave the European Union, these new rules simplify the GI application process and guarantee the authenticity of Welsh and other British produce. The UK Government is also currently working to expand and increase the number of GI protections through Free Trade Agreements”
Welsh producers whose food are granted GI status will benefit from enhanced intellectual property protection, so that others cannot imitate them.
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."
