Wales’ national vegetable and emblem, the leek, is now officially protected as it has gained protected geographical indication (PGI) UK GI status.
It joins the list of 19 other UK GI status Welsh products, which includes Welsh Beef, Welsh Lamb, Carmarthen Ham, Traditionally Reared Pedigree Welsh Pork, Gower Salt Marsh Lamb and Cambrian Mountains Lamb.
Commenting on the new status, Minister for Rural Affairs Lesley Griffiths said: “This is great news today and I congratulate all those involved in gaining this prestigious award for Welsh Leeks.
“Leeks are a historic symbol of Wales, known across the world, and I’m very pleased to see this product gain the recognition and prestige it deserves.”
The application for PGI status was led by Pembrokeshire’s Puffin Produce.
“The leek is an iconic emblem of Wales – we are incredibly proud to be able to grow Welsh Leeks and the GI status is hugely important to promote the quality and heritage behind this majestic crop,” Huw Thomas, Puffin Produce CEO said.
PGI status
The UK Geographical Indication schemes (UK GI) were established following the UK’s exit from the EU.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is the competent authority for the GI schemes in the UK (including Northern Ireland).
In order to gain GI status, products must have a geographical connection or are made using traditional methods.
GI protection guarantees a product’s characteristics or reputation, authenticity, and origin. It protects the product name from misuse or imitation when the product is sold in Great Britain (England, Scotland, and Wales).
There are four main schemes: Food agricultural products, wine, aromatised wine and spirit drinks.
Beyond this, there are their designations represented by their own logo: PGI, PDO (protected designation of origin and TSG (traditional speciality guaranteed).
