New logos for food and drink products with the European Union Protected Food Name (EUPFN) status have been unveiled.
At the end of the transition period, all existing protected UK products under the scheme will automatically get protection under a new UK GI status.
Protected products benefit from a high profile and are recognised for their special qualities by consumers across the world.
The new logos, which the government has worked with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), GI producers and consumers on their development, will represent the unique and protected nature of these products to consumers. It will provide confidence the protected product is linked to origin and is authentic whilst protecting makers against imitation.
Welcoming the new scheme, the Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs, Lesley Griffiths, said:
We are incredibly proud of our world-renowned Welsh food and drink sector. Wales currently has 16 protected food and drink products, all of which will be given automatic recognition in the new UK GI scheme, which will come into force at the end of the transition period.
“The new logos unveiled today will ensure our protected products continue to be officially recognised for their authenticity, uniqueness and high quality.”
There are three UK GI logos, which mark each designation of geographical indication:
- Protected designation of origin (PDO);
- Protected geographical indication (PGI);
- Traditional speciality guaranteed (TSG).
Registered producers of British food, drink and agricultural GI products that are required to use the logos will have until January 1, 2024, to change their packaging to display the new UK GI logos.
Legislation due to be laid today (Thursday, October 22) in the UK Parliament will enable the new GI schemes to be administered, ensure continue protection of existing products, establish the new logos and simplify the application process.
