Since 1993, the European Union (EU) has provided a framework that gives legal protection for named regional food products against imitation across the EU. This framework is important because it aims to protect and promote regional food products, the consumer interest and rural economies that become vulnerable as the EU expands and regional markets move to national and international supply chains.
Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) is one of three European designations to protect regional foods and it protects regional products that have a “specific quality, reputation or other characteristics attributable to that area”. It acts just like a Trade Mark of ‘Appellation Controlle’ and stops manufacturers from outside a region from copying a regional product and selling it as that regional product. PGI is available for products that originated in that region and which are either produced or processed or prepared in a geographical area.
The Association feels that PGI is the appropriate protection level for the Melton Mowbray Pork Pie.
From January 2021 the Melton Mowbray Pork Pie will receive protection within the UK under a UK scheme for Protected Food Names. The protection will be identical with the European Scheme.