UK GI meat products gain protection in Japan
The Government has announced that Japan and the UK have finalised protection for almost 40 British food and drink products, including Scotch Beef and Welsh Lamb, as a means to safeguard against imitation.
A total of 37 Geographical Indications (GIs) will gain protection on Thursday 29th February 2024 following the completion of UK and Japanese scrutiny processes.
The Government said that securing GIs for British products such as Melton Mowbray Pork Pies and Traditional Cumberland Sausage will prevent counterfeit products being placed on the Japanese market.
For UK businesses, Government said GIs are “vital” for building trust and enhancing brand recognition, ultimately driving export growth and supporting the sustainability of local industries. It also said GIs reinforce the UK’s position as a producer of “distinctive and sought-after goods”.
Trade Policy Minister Greg Hands said: “The UK’s excellent selection of unique, high-quality products are highly sought after around the world. Consumers in Japan can now be assured that they are enjoying the authentic taste of great British food and drink.
“This announcement not only protects beloved British delicacies like Scotch Beef and Cornish Pasties, but also gives UK producers added confidence when selling into Japan, part of our plan to help British businesses grow and export more.”
Grant Moir, managing director of AK Stoddart, said: “Since Stoddarts started to supply beef to Japan back in 2019 the brand attributes of Scotch Beef has always been a major draw for the Japanese market.
“With the recent announcement that the Geographical Indication is to be formally recognised this will only enhance and strengthen the Scotch and Stoddarts brand in Japan.
“Scotland has long been admired for its food and drink heritage and this will only benefit the global reputation of Scotland.”
Several Japanese food products will also be protected to help British shoppers “shop with confidence”, knowing they are purchasing authentic Japanese goods.
Protected products
Some of the protected UK products include:
- Anglesey Sea Salt/Halen Môn
- Arbroath Smokies
- Conwy Mussels
- Cornish Clotted Cream
- Cornish Pasty
- East Kent Goldings
- London Cure Smoked Salmon
- Lough Neagh Eel
- Lough Neagh Pollan
- Melton Mowbray Pork Pie
- Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar
- Pembrokeshire Earlies/Pembrokeshire Early Potatoes
- Scotch Beef
- Scotch Lamb
- Single Gloucester
- Staffordshire Cheese
- Stornoway Black Pudding
- Traditional Ayrshire Dunlop
- Traditional Cumberland Sausage
- Traditional Grimsby Smoked Fish
- Traditional Welsh Caerphilly
- Welsh Beef
- Welsh Lamb
- Welsh Laverbread
- West Country Beef
- West Country Lamb
- Yorkshire Wensleydale
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