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Jersey Royal potatoes were one of the first product names indicating the UK or the Crown dependencies to receive protected status, after it was registered as a PDO in 1996.[1]Meat from the Gloucester Old Spot (under the name 'Traditionally farmed Gloucestershire Old Spots pork') is one of four UK products holding TSG status[1]
A number of United Kingdom food and drink products have been granted protected geographical status under UK law and European Union law. Protection of geographical indications is granted to names that indicate geographical origin both inside and outside the United Kingdom. A number of geographical indications for food and drink products originating in the Crown dependencies, which are not part of the UK, are also protected under the British law. These are also listed in this article.
The stated purpose of the quality schemes is to protect the reputation of regional products, promote traditional and agricultural activity and to eliminate non-genuine products, which may mislead consumers or be of inferior or different character; for example, producers cannot refer to their product as Scotch whisky unless it has been produced within Scotland, following particular methods. The quality schemes include two types of geographical indicators: "protected designation of origin" (PDO) (which are appellations of origin) and "protected geographical indication" (PGI) (which are geographical indications). These two types of designations are available for food, agricultural products and wines. For spirit drinks and aromatised wine, the equivalent designation to a PGI is called a "geographical indication" (GI). In addition, the quality schemes also include "traditional specialities guaranteed" (TSG), which are designed to promote and protect names of quality agricultural products and foodstuffs without requiring any reference to geographical origin.[2]
The United Kingdom and the Crown dependencies together have a total of 94 products with protected status. This is relatively few when compared with Portugal (195 protected status products), France (758) and Italy (882). However, the UK and Crown dependencies have considerably more designations than many other countries, including Ireland (11), Sweden (18) or (for example) the United States, Japan or Korea (none).[1] Most of the products hold either PGI (51 in the UK and 49 in the EU) or PDO (32 in the UK, 31 in the EU) status, with 4 products being designated as TSG.
This list, is compiled according to the eAmbrosiaEuropean Commissiondatabase and the UK 'Protected geographical food and drink names' database. They list all registered products, as well as all products which were formerly registered or for which registration has been applied.
Legislation
Introduction as EU member state (applicable in the UK until 2021)
The schemes were introduced by the European Union, while the United Kingdom was a member, in 1993.[3] From 2012 they were governed by Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council, in part to overhaul and regulate the protected status system.[4]Spirits, fortified wines and aromatised wines, described by the European Commission as "spirit drinks", were governed by a separate regulation, Regulation (EC) No 110/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council.[5]
The EU uses three different protected status schemes, which provide differing characteristics and levels and types of protection.
Protected Designation of Origin (PDO): this designation covers products that are "produced, processed and prepared" in a specific area, using a particular, usually traditional, method.[2]
Protected Geographical Indication (PGI): this designation covers products whose "production, processing or preparation" takes places in a specific area.[2]
Traditional Speciality Guaranteed (TSG): this designation covers products with a "traditional character" or "customary names", distinguishing them from similar products. Unlike PDO and PGI, these products do not need to be connected to a specific area or method of production.[2][3] In order to be considered for TSG status, a product must demonstrate that the materials and methods used in its production has been consistent for a minimum of 30 years.[6]
Application under UK law (applicable in England, Scotland and Wales since 2021)
PDO, PGI and TSG logo applicable in England, Wales and Scotland
After the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union and the transition period (which ended on 31 December 2020),[7] the UK initiated a separate scheme governed by the same rules, which applies in England, Scotland and Wales.
The designations in effect on 31 December 2020 under the EU scheme (from any country), are since 2021 governed by UK law, which is an amended version of Regulation 1151/2021. Designations applied for under UK law since 1 January 2021, are not recognized in the EU, although an application for registration under EU law can still be made.
Application under EU law in the UK (applicable in Northern Ireland since 2021)
EU PDO, PGI and TSG logo (in English) applicable in Northern Ireland
As a result of the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland of the Withdrawal agreement, Northern Ireland remains covered by the EU scheme, and not the UK scheme. This means that for existing indications on 31 December 2020 the same indications are applicable as in other parts of the UK. However, new designations under EU law are automatically protected in Northern Ireland, while that is not the case for new designations under UK law. Furthermore, in Northern Ireland manufacturers are required to print the EU logos for the indications, rather than the UK logos.
Products with protected status
The categorisation below is based on the format used in the Database of Origin and Registration and E-Bacchus databases.[1][8] The year is the year of first registration in either the UK or EU.
In 5 cases the EU registered a name of 2 products under the same entry, whereas they were registered under separate entries in the UK. In that case the UK-naming convention is followed.
A type of salt marsh lamb (Agneau de pré-salé) limited to sheep that are born reared and slaughtered on the Gower Peninsula. It is the unique vegetation and environment of the salt marshes on the north Gower coastline, where the lambs graze, which gives the meat its distinctive characteristics.[10] Protection under EU law was first opposed by France and registered in 2023 following a voluntary change in the description indicating the lamb may be frozen prior to selling it.[11]
Limited to products produced, processed and prepared on the Isle of Man, using traditional methods. Products should be produced from lambs grazed on unimproved land and if supplementary feed is needed this should be sourced from locally grown grain.[12]
Limited to products produced, processed and prepared in Cumbria. Products must be produced from sheep grazed locally and any supplementary feed should be sourced in Cumbria. Lakeland Herdwick lamb must be slaughtered between 8 and 12 months of age.[13]
Orkney beef
PDO (UK, EU)
1996
Limited to products produced and reared on Orkney, using traditional methods. The cattle must be slaughtered and prepared on Orkney.[14]
Orkney lamb
PDO (UK, EU)
1996
Limited to products produced and reared on Orkney, using traditional methods. The lambs must be slaughtered and prepared on Orkney.[15]
Scotch beef
PGI (UK, EU)
2004
Limited to products produced in Scotland, including the Outer Hebrides, Shetland and Orkney. Products must be produced from cattle reared, slaughtered and dressed in Scotland.[16]
Scotch lamb
PGI (UK, EU)
2004
Limited to products produced in Scotland, including the Outer Hebrides, Shetland and Orkney. Products must be produced from sheep reared, slaughtered and dressed in Scotland.[17]
Shetland lamb
PDO (UK, EU)
1996
Limited to products produced, processed and prepared in Shetland, using traditional methods. Products must be produced from lambs no more than 12 months old at the time of slaughter.[18]
In order to be designated as such the product should be from Gloucestershire Old Spots, described as "traditional unimproved breeds". The animals should be reared using traditional farming methods, including allowing the meat to mature on the bone for several days. The Designation (System) refers to all products of the pig, including bacon, gammon, sausages etc.[19]
The product is meat from Pedigree Welsh pigs, which had a diet of "low in protein where the protein percentage of purchased feed does not exceed 20 % post weaning."
Welsh beef
PGI (UK, EU)
2002
Limited to products from cattle that are born and reared in Wales. Products must come from cattle that have not bred.[20]
Limited to products that are produced from lambs born and reared in Wales.[21]
West Country beef
PGI (UK, EU)
2014
Limited to products produced from cattle born, reared and processed in the West Country (Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire). Products must have a diet of at least 70% forage.[22]
West Country lamb
PGI (UK, EU)
2014
Limited to products that are produced from lambs born and reared in the West Country (Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire). Products must be no more than 12 months old at the time of slaughter.[23]
Limited to ham made from pigs which were released in New Forest in the year before they were slaughtered and where they eat acorns and beech mast. The ham is produced in Hampshire, Dorset or Wiltshire.[26]
Limited to products produced within the vicinity of Newmarket. Products must have a meat content of at least 70% and be made from prime cuts of meat from the belly or shoulder.[27]
Limited to products produced using a traditional recipe with a prescribed ratio of ingredients and within the vicinity of Isle of Lewis and "the surrounding 'Stornoway Trust' area".[28]
Limited to cheese produced, processed and prepared within a 90‑km radius of the summit of Peel Fell. Products must be made from full fat Jersey cow milk, with a minimum fat content of 20% and a maximum water content of 60%, using traditional methods.[31]
Limited to cheese processed and prepared within a 30‑km radius of Buxton and using milk from cows grazed in Derbyshire and the surrounding counties, using traditional methods.[32]
Limited to cheese produced, processed and prepared in Dorset. The product must be made from unpasteurised, skimmed milk from cows grazed in the Blackmore Vale.[33]
Limited to cheese produced, processed and prepared within an 80‑km radius from Dovedale, using whole milk from cows grazed in the surrounding counties of Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Staffordshire. The product must be produced using traditional methods.[34]
Exmoor blue cheese
PGI (UK, EU)
1999
Limited to cheese produced in west Somerset, using traditional methods. The product must be made using Jersey cow milk, with a typical composition of 49% water and 34% fat.[35]
Orkney Scottish island cheddar
PGI (UK, EU)
2013
Limited to cheese produced on Orkney, using milk from locally grazed cows.[36]
Limited to cheese produced, processed and prepared in Gloucestershire, using traditional methods. The product must normally be produced from either pasteurised or unpasteurised Gloucester cows' milk. However, when this is not possible, milk from other breeds grazed in Gloucestershire can be used.[37]
Staffordshire cheese
PDO (UK, EU)
2007
Limited to cheese produced, processed and prepared within the county of Staffordshire, using traditional methods. The product must be made from milk from cows grazed in Staffordshire or on silage sourced there.[38]
Limited to white cheese produced, processed and prepared in Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, using traditional methods. The product must normally be made using full-fat pasteurised cows' milk from cows grazed in the designated area. However, if this is not readily available this may be sourced from the surrounding counties of Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire, Warwickshire, Staffordshire, Greater Manchester, Cheshire, Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. The cheese must have a minimum fat content of 48%.[39] In the EU the cheese is registered with the blue cheese as "White Stilton cheese / Blue Stilton cheese".
Limited to white cheese produced, processed and prepared in Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, using traditional methods. The product must normally be made using full-fat pasteurised cows' milk from cows grazed in the designated area. However, if this is not readily available this may be sourced from the surrounding counties of Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire, Warwickshire, Staffordshire, Greater Manchester, Cheshire, Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. The cheese must have a minimum fat content of 48%.[39] In the EU the cheese is registered with the white cheese as "White Stilton cheese / Blue Stilton cheese".
Limited to cheese produced, processed and prepared in the Swaledale Valley, North Yorkshire, using traditional methods. The product must be made from full fat cows' milk, from cows grazed in the designated area. The product must contain a minimum fat content of 48% and a maximum water content of 48%.[40]
Swaledale Ewes cheese
PDO (UK, EU)
1996
Limited to cheese produced, processed and prepared in the Swaledale Valley, North Yorkshire, using traditional methods. The product must be made from full fat ewe milk, from sheep grazed in the designated area.[41]
Limited to cheese produced within a 90‑km radius of the summit of Peel Fell. The product must be produced using unpasteurised whole milk from Jersey cows. The product must have a minimum fat content of 48% and a maximum water content of 48%.[42]
Limited to cheese produced within the traditional parish of Dunlop. The product must be produced using pasteurised whole milk (15 seconds at 72 degrees) from Ayrshire cows. The product has a fat content of 52.1% and a pH of 5.2-5.4.[43]
Traditional Welsh Caerphilly / Traditional Welsh Caerffili
PGI (UK, EU)
2018
Limited to as a flat roundshaped cheeses produced in Wales of “Caerphilly” style.[44]
Limited to cheese produced, processed and prepared in Dorset, Somerset, Cornwall and Devon, using traditional methods. The product must normally be made from pasteurised cows' milk from cows grazed in the designated area. However, when this is not readily available milk may be used from the bordering counties of Gloucestershire and Wiltshire.[45]
Limited to cheese produced in Wensleydale, North Yorkshire. The product must be produced using whole milk from cows grazed in the designated area, which can be both pasteurised or unpasteurised.[46]
Other products of animal origin (eggs, honey, various dairy products etc.)
Limited to immature potatoes of the species Solanum tuberosum of the family Solanaceae grown in the county of Ayrshire, South West of Scotland. They must be planted, grown and harvested within the defined geographical area (the areas of North Ayrshire, East Ayrshire and South Ayrshire councils). Potatoes are harvested from the beginning of May until the end of July. [49]
Fenland celery
PGI (UK, EU)
2013
Limited to celery that has been produced in prescribed parishes in The Fens. The product must be grown on the "Adventurers 1 and 2 soil series 'deep peat soil which is naturally very fertile, deriving partially decomposed plant remains that accumulated under waterlogged conditions'", using traditional or commercial methods.[50]
Limited to potatoes produced in an area bounded by Ardkeen in the south, Crossgar and Killyleagh in the west and Castlereagh, North Down and Belfast in the east. The product must be planted in January and harvested between early May and late July.[52]
Pembrokeshire early potatoes/Pembrokeshire earlies
PGI (UK, EU)
2013
Limited to potatoes grown in Pembrokeshire. The product must be planted in early February and harvested between May and late July.[53]
The Vale of Clwyd Denbigh Plum
PGI (UK, EU)
2019
Limited to plums (Prunus domestica) grown in the Vale of Clwyd in Denbighshire North Wales.[54]
The Pie Filling is a "homogeneous blend of Bramley apple pieces, sugar and water", using apples between 65 mm-115 mm in size, cut at a size larger than 15 mm.[55]
Watercress is a plant in the cress family grown in flowing water using Nasturtium officinale seed at 10-12°C.[57][58] In the EU the terms is protected in several language variations as "Watercress / Cresson de Fontaine / Berros de Agua / Agrião de Água / Waterkers / Brunnenkresse". The term is only protected when accompanied with the term "made following the tradition of" followed by 1 or more of the countries: the United Kingdom, Belgium, Spain, France, The Netherlands or Portugal. Other use of the term Watercress remains possible, regardless of whether the process is followed.[59]
Welsh leeks
PGI (UK)
2022
Leeks grown, harvested and packed in Wales can be designated Welsh leeks. They have a length of 28-35 cm and a width of 3.8-4.2 cm.[60]
Limited to products produced within "a coastal corridor with an inland boundary 8 kilometres radius from Arbroath Town House and extending to the community of West Mains in the north and the community of East Haven in the south" and purchased at designated Scottish fish markets. Products must be produced using traditional methods.[62]
Mussels (Metilus edulis) of at least 2 years old, raked by hand with boats of a maximum length of 15 meters in the Conwy Bay and Estuary.[63]
Cornish sardines
PGI (UK, EU)
2009
Limited to sardines that have been caught within an area no more than six miles off the Cornish coast. Products must be landed and processed within Cornwall.[64]
Fal oyster
PDO (UK, EU)
2013
Limited to oysters that have been caught within the Truro Port Fishery ("all those parts of the Truro and Falmouth Harbours and of the bed of the Truro, Fal and Tresillian rivers containing an area of 2721 acres") using traditional vessels. Products must be caught between October 1 and March 31.[64]
Limited to salmon cured only with rock salt and oak smoke produced in the London boroughs of Tower Hamlets, Hackney and Newham.[66]
Lough Neagh eel
PGI (UK, EU)
2011
Limited to eels caught in Lough Neagh, Northern Ireland and the lower River Bann, using traditional methods. Yellow eels (immature Anguilla anguilla) must be caught between 1 May and 8 January. Silver eels (mature Anguilla anguilla) must be caught between 1 June and 28 February.[67]
Limited to Atlantic salmon that have been "conventionally and organically" farmed on the west coast of Scotland, the Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland.[69]
Scottish wild salmon
PGI (UK, EU)
2012
Limited to Atlantic salmon caught up to 1500 metres from the coast of Scotland, using prescribed methods.[70]
Limited to fish that have been prepared and smoked in Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire, using a traditional method. Products must be either cod or haddock and weigh between 200g-700g.[71]
Limited to cider produced in Gloucestershire, using locally grown varieties of cider apples.[76][77] In the EU the cider is grouped with Gloucestershire perry under the same PGI.
Limited to perry produced in Gloucestershire, using locally grown varieties of perry pears.[76][77] In the EU the perry is grouped with Gloucestershire cider under the same PGI.
Herefordshire cider
PGI (UK, EU)
1996
Limited to cider produced in Herefordshire, using locally grown varieties of perry cider apples.[78][79] In the EU the cider is grouped with Herefordshire perry under the same PGI.
Herefordshire perry
PGI (UK, EU)
1996
Limited to perry produced in Herefordshire, using locally grown varieties of perry pears.[78][79] In the EU the perry is grouped with Herefordshire cider under the same PGI.
Traditional Welsh cider
PGI (UK, EU)
2017
Limited to cider produced in Wales, using locally grown cider apples.[80]
Traditional Welsh perry
PGI (UK, EU)
2017
Limited to perry produced in Wales, using locally grown pears.[81]
Traditional product made from laver (seaweed: porphyra umbilicalis), plucked from the Wales coastline and cooked with exclusively with salt and water.[82]
Worcestershire cider
PGI (UK, EU)
1996
Limited to products produced in Worcestershire, using locally grown varieties of cider apples.[83][84] In the EU the cider is grouped with Worcestershire perry under the same PGI.
Worcestershire perry
PGI (UK, EU)
1996
Limited to products produced in Worcestershire, using locally grown varieties of perry pears.[83][84] In the EU the perry is grouped with Worcestershire cider under the same PGI.
Beers
Product
Designation (System)
Year Awarded
Notes
Kentish ale
PGI (UK, EU)
1996
Limited to ale produced within Kent using traditional methods. Products must have an abv between 3.5% and 5.9%.[85] In the EU the PGI is registered together with Kentish Strong Ale. The product is produced in a single company: Shepherd Neame Brewery.
Kentish strong ale
PGI (UK, EU)
1996
Limited to ale produced within Kent using traditional methods. Products must have an abv between 5% and 7%.[86] In the EU the PGI is registered together with Kentish Ale. The product is produced in a single company: Shepherd Neame Brewery.
Rutland bitter
PGI (UK, EU)
1996
Limited to bitter produced, processed and prepared within Rutland and Leicestershire, although packaging can take place elsewhere.[87]
Bread, pastry, cakes, confectionery, biscuits and other baker’s wares
Limited to products produced in Cornwall using a traditional recipe, with at least 12.5% beef and 25% vegetable content. Products can still be finally baked outside of the designated production area.[88]
Salt
Product
Designation (System)
Year Awarded
Notes
Anglesey sea salt/Halen Môn
PDO (UK, EU)
2014
Limited to sea salt prepared, processed and produced in the Menai Strait, using traditional methods.[89]
Limited to products produced in Shetland, using traditional methods. Products must come from pure bred Shetland sheep who have been grazed organically in Shetland.[90]
Limited to wine produced in England from grapes grown in the designated area, using prescribed methods. Products must use grapes from vines growing at a height below 220 metres above sea level. The product may be vinified outside of the designated area provided it is contiguous to England and prior authorisation has been granted from the Food Standards Agency. The product must conform to restrictions regarding alcohol content, acidification and sweetening.[92]
English regional
PGI (UK, EU)
2011
Limited to wine produced from grapes grown in England, although production does not have to be within a certain area. The product must conform to restrictions regarding alcohol content, acidification and sweetening.[93]
Limited to wine produced from grapes grown in East and West Sussex. The wine should consist mainly of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier grapes, normally produced at 12 tonnes per hectares (with a maximum of 14 tonnes per hectare). The wine is available as a still wine and a sparkling wine.[94]
Limited to wine produced in Wales from grapes grown in the designated area, using prescribed methods. Products must use grapes from vines growing at a height below 220 metres above sea level. The product may be vinified outside of the designated area provided it is contiguous to Wales and prior authorisation has been granted from the Food Standards Agency. The product must conform to restrictions regarding alcohol content, acidification and sweetening.[95]
Welsh regional
PGI (UK, EU)
2011
Limited to wine produced from grapes grown in Wales, although production does not have to be within a certain area. The product must conform to restrictions regarding alcohol content, acidification and sweetening.[96]
Irish cream is a blend of fresh Irish dairy cream in a flavoured/sweetened alcohol base which contains Irish Whiskey and other permitted ingredients. Production takes place on the island of Ireland.[97]
Limited to whisky that is produced on the island of Ireland.[d] The final product must not be sweetened or flavoured, other than the addition of plain caramel as a colouring. The product must have an abv of at least 40%.[101]
Limited to whisky produced in a single distillery, which is located in Wales and produced through a batch process. All production steps (Mashing/Brewing, Fermentation, Distillation and Maturation) takes place in Wales and Welsh water is used.[102]
Limited to whisky that is produced in Scotland.[104] The final product must not be sweetened or flavoured, other than the addition of plain caramel as a colouring. The product must have an abv of at least 40%.[101]
Somerset cider brandy
GI (UK, EU)
2009
Limited to apple brandy produced in the county of Somerset. The product must have an ABV of at least 40% and have been aged for at least three years.[105]
Limited to cheese produced, processed and prepared in the Swaledale Valley, North Yorkshire, using traditional methods. The product must be made from full fat cows' milk, from cows grazed in the designated area. The PDO was cancelled under UK law on request of the sole producer, Swaledale Cheese company ltd, when production was moved outside Swaledale following an eviction notice on the original production location.[109]
Traditional farmfresh turkey
TSG (UK, EU)
2000
The product is described as being superior in quality to standard turkeys. In order to be described as such the product must be produced using a specific method which includes using only birds which are over 20 weeks old, have been dry plucked, hung to mature and eviscerated after this period of hanging. Protection ceased on 4 January 2023 as a result of the end of a transition period for TSG's that had been registered under earlier legislation.[110]
Limited to gin that is produced in Plymouth.[111] The product must have a minimum abv of 37.5%. and have a predominantly juniper flavour. The PGI expired in 2015 after Pernod Ricard opted not to renew it, believing it unnecessary due to already owning the trademark for the name.[112][113]
List by country
PGI and PDO are linked to a geographical region and thus can be linked to a country. This is not necessarily the case for TSG products, where this is not a requirement. In the list below the geographical indications are grouped by country. For TSG, the grouping is with the location with which the product has most affinity.
Cambrian Mountains Lamb, Carmarthen Ham, Conwy mussels, Gower Salt Marsh Lamb, Pembrokeshire early potatoes/Pembrokeshire earlies, Single Malt Welsh Whisky/Wisgi Cymreig Brag Sengl, The Vale of Clwyd Denbigh Plum, Traditional Welsh Caerphilly / Traditional Welsh Caerffili, Traditional Welsh cider, Traditional Welsh perry, Welsh beef, Welsh lamb, Traditionally Reared Pedigree Welsh Pork, Welsh Laverbread, West Wales coracle caught salmon, West Wales coracle caught sewin, Anglesey sea salt/Halen Môn, Welsh, Welsh Regional
^The protected geographical indication for Irish Whiskey/Uisce Beatha Eireannach/Irish Whisky covers both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.[100]