Gower Salt Marsh Lamb wins coveted protected geographical status
Gower Salt Marsh Lamb has become the first new product to be awarded UK Geographical Indication (UK GI) Status.
The highly sought after award, will give the Welsh delicacy international protection.
The UK GI scheme was established at the beginning of 2021, following the UK’s withdrawal from the EU.
The scheme ensures certain food and drink products can continue to receive legal protection against imitation and misuse.
Gower Salt Marsh Lamb is the first new product to achieve the UK GI status and becomes the 17th member of the Welsh GI family of products, joining the likes of other great produce such as Anglesey Sea Salt, Welsh Lamb, Welsh Beef and Pembrokeshire Earlies. Each family member is Welsh to the core and uniquely linked to the landscapes and seascapes which nurture them.
From today, only legitimate Gower Salt Marsh Lamb can be sold with the UK GI logo, guaranteeing its produce comes from lambs which were born and reared on the North Gower coastline in Wales.
The GI logo will promote the heritage and culture of Wales and give Gower Salt Marsh Lamb the certification of quality and uniqueness which they both deserve and consumers desire.
The Welsh Government has previously worked with the company through its Protected Food Names programme.
‘Family farm’
Dan and Will Pritchard run the Gower Salt Marsh lamb family farm on the picturesque Gower Peninsula. Speaking about their fantastic achievement, Dan said: “We are so pleased that Gower Salt Marsh Lamb has got UK GI PDO status.
“We’re exceptionally proud of what we produce and it is fantastic that it is being recognised and celebrated.
“Today’s announcement will help to protect the reputation of our regional product, promote traditional agricultural practices and eliminate non genuine products. It’s a great day for Wales and Welsh produce.”
Rural Affairs Minister Lesley Griffiths congratulated the Pritchard’s on their fantastic achievement, saying: “We want to champion Welsh food and drink products which can tell their stories of expertise, tradition and sustainability, all with a passionate sense of their distinctive origins.
“I want to congratulate Dan and Will on their success of becoming the first new product to secure the coveted UK GI status for their wonderful Gower Salt Marsh Lamb and welcome them into the Welsh GI family.
“Our vision is for Wales to continue to lead the way in recognising iconic produce and I am confident Gower Salt Marsh Lamb’s latest success will encourage other new applications for GI status, from all food and drink categories in Wales.”
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Great news. I hope this scheme does indeed provide “international protection”.
no it does not!
Thanks Wynfford and Larry. Just listened to this discussed on Farming Today. Currently it’s not worth the paper it’s written on outside the UK, until another country agrees to accept it. They’d better get that done!
I guess, in theory, it prevents other producers in the UK and imported lamb from being called Gower Salt Marsh Lamb – always provided the UK government has provided the funds to allow effective enforcement. However, there is no indication in the rules (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-rules-and-logos-to-protect-british-food-and-drink–2) that this system extends beyond the UK. After all, how would the UK enforce this designation outside the UK? As an EU member, the UK could have gone to the European Court to enforce within the EU but that is no longer possible. And should Gower Salt Marsh Lamb producers export their lamb – always provided… Read more »
It only applies to mainland Britain, it does not include N Ireland, which continues to use the EU GI scheme.
I listened to this on radio 4 today, did not mention that it ONLY applied to 3 countries, not worth the paper it is written on but hey ho why spoil it for the brexshysters BBC ……
Utterly meaningless as it has no standing beyond the shores of this little island.
No mention that the entirety of both Welsh Lamb and Beef had protected PGI status under the EU scheme. A potential downgrade within Britain as well as across our continent.
Should the logo not say Wales U K to support the Welsh origin. This would have some value in the UK market ?!
I take it you have not noticed in the last 6 months, union Jack flags replacing the dragon on a lot of food and dairy products, I am told the same is happening in Scotland, with the Saltire being replaced. I did hear this is done at the request if the UK Gov.