Protected status for Gloucester Old Spots pigs name

Gloucestershire Old Spots pork is the newest of 42 UK products – including Melton Mowbray pork pies, Cornish clotted cream and Arbroath Smokies – on the Protected Food Name (PFN) list.

West Country Farmhouse Cheddar, Yorkshire Forced Rhubarb, Welsh Lamb, and Cornish Sardines also have their names guarded by legislation.

The award means that any product bearing the Gloucestershire Old Spots name must come from the breed.

Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman made the announcement at the Three Counties Show in Malvern, Worcestershire yesterday.

She said: "It's great to be here to celebrate the unique quality of another one of our delicious traditional foods. Gloucester Old Spots pork thoroughly deserves the status and protection offered to it throughout Europe.

"Gloucester Old Spots is the 42nd product to gain protected status but I know that there must be many other types of food and drink out there which could apply for this special recognition and I'd like to encourage them to come forward – our great food and drink should be celebrated."

Gloucester Old Spot pork must come from pedigree pigs. The way they are farmed means the meat scores higher for texture (tenderness) and juiciness than conventionally produced pork.

The president of the Gloucestershire Old Spots Pig Breeders Club, Dave Overton, said: "This a significant achievement and will help us to ensure that the integrity of the special meat from these pigs is maintained."

The Yorkshire Post is calling for Wensleydale Cheese to get similar protection as part of out Uniquely Yorkshire campaign.