Published Date:
11 May 2005
Julie Hemmings
A DALES cheesemaker faces a tense wait for the outcome of an EU legal battle.
Yesterday a European judge ruled "feta" can be made only in Greece, which could deal a huge blow to award-winning Shepherd's Purse Cheeses. A final ruling is due later this year.
Company founder Judy Bell said it will cost thousands to rename and rebrand her cheese, which accounts for 15 per cent of sales.
Now Mrs Bell, of Newsham, near Thirsk, is anxiously awaiting the result of Denmark and Germany's challenge to an EU decision to give "Protected Designation of Origin" status to feta cheese made in Greece.
It also protects Parma ham, Champagne and, in Britain, products, including Whitstable oysters and Newcastle brown ale.
But Denmark and Germany claim to have been producing and exporting feta for years and say the name is now a generic term.
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Last Updated:
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Source:
n/a
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Location:
Yorkshire
