The Traditional Cumberland sausage now joins the ranks of other distinctive British foods, such as Arbroath Smokies, Scottish Beef, Jersey Royal Potatoes and Cornish Clotted Cream, as having Protected Geographical Indication ("PGI") Status under the European Protected Food Name Scheme. Once registered under this Scheme, only Cumberland sausages conforming to the registered specification are permitted to use that name. Therefore, when purchasing Cumberland sausages with the PGI mark you can be assured that your sausages have been produced, processed and prepared in Cumbria, contain at least 80 per cent meat, include seasoning and are at least 20 millimetres thick. The status does not obviously stop other producers from making other type of sausages but they will not be able to sell them as "Cumberland".
Out of the 1000 or so food products in the European Union which have PGI status, only about 4% are British. So good luck to Bakewell Pudding, Leicestershire Red, and Scottish Wild Salmon, just some of the British products waiting in line to join the Scheme.
© Thorntons Law LLP
23 March 2011
Lucy Bennett