Jonathan Knight: We must champion our food and show that British is best

This is a fantastic step in the right direction, following a

substantial amount of work and lobbying by Regional Food Group for Yorkshire and Humber (RFG), the NFU, the Yorkshire Post and UK MEPs

among others.

The issue of food labelling has been debated by the Consumer Protection Committee for over 18 months, and for much longer by the Regional Food Group's members. The debate revolves around how to define a product's origin based on where it has been reared or grown, processed and packaged.

There is a continuing groundswell of grassroots enthusiasm among consumers for high quality, authentic, regional produce transparently labelled regarding its provenance. Locally-sourced food sales were worth 5bn in 2009 and Mintel predicts that they will continue to grow to a value of 6.2bn by 2013.

These proposals will enable consumers to make informed decisions about their food purchases. Retailers and producers have a responsibility to ensure that consumers can make informed purchasing decisions, with clear information in a standardised format.

At the moment, reputable regional producers and farmshops can confirm the origins of certain foods, particularly meat products, but with Country of Origin labels in place, larger retailers will be able to provide the same clarity.

As an organisation, RFG promotes regional food through its campaigning deliciouslyorkshire brand, which can be used by regional producers to signify the product's quality and origin. Implementing Country of Origin labelling legislation will expand this initiative to a national scale.

RFG has long been championing the benefits in supporting regional and British producers. British meat is produced to some of the highest welfare standards in the world placing British farmers at a competitive disadvantage to most other EU member states.

British pig farmers in particular operate by UK law to welfare

standards higher than nearly every other EU member state, which operate intensive farming systems that would be illegal in the UK.

Consumers can make ethical purchasing choices, help secure the future of our premium livestock and our traditional countryside by choosing meat products originating from the UK.

British fruit and vegetables, eaten in season, maintain their

nutritional properties and flavour over imported ones. Research conducted by RFG has found that Yorkshire asparagus has a preferred, sweeter flavour and more antioxidants, when compared to imported varieties.

Understanding the importance that many consumers place on food provenance, RFG has worked with several Yorkshire producers to achieve Protected Designation of Origin status, under the EU Protected Food Names scheme.

Six years ago, RFG helped to draft an application for Yorkshire Forced Rhubarb. Having recently now achieved the status, Yorkshire rhubarb growers can rest assured that their product cannot be imitated and production will be safeguarded in the significant Yorkshire Rhubarb Triangle.

The number of Protected Food Names granted in the UK is greatly behind other EU countries, and not for lack of eligible entries. Yorkshire is particularly low and we are researching products which could fit the criteria and working with eligible producers on applying.

Several Yorkshire and Humber companies have already achieved the status, including Swaledale cheese, Grimsby Traditional Smoked Haddock, and Hawes-based The Wensleydale Creamery is in the application process for its Real Yorkshire Wensleydale Cheese, which derives its distinct flavour and texture from a specific cheesemaking process and local ingredients.

As Yorkshire and the Humber is the country's largest food-producing region, it is particularly important that our food and drink industry is supported and preserved for the many people and businesses which survive on consumer support through purchasing choices.

The Humber is responsible for producing an astounding 60 per cent of

the UK's fish processing output, and we want to take pride in knowing that the rest of the country realises where it hails from.

Clearer labelling is good news for everyone in the supply chain. The challenge now is to ensure that retailers, consumers, government,

farmers and producers are committed to the idea and work together to champion our great, British, regional products and ensure our well-established food and drink economy continues to grow.

The issue is likely to be debated up until the final vote is taken. RFG will continue to support the campaign and reiterate the benefits of establishing clear and unambiguous Country of Origin labelling on

products.

Jonathan Knight is the chief executive of the Regional Food Group for Yorkshire and Humber.