Protected British-based food names should still be able to benefit from EU protection, provided there is a reciprocal agreement between the UK and the EU, concludes the latest Brexit-motivated Horizon report published today by AHDB.
The report considers the impact that Brexit may have on the industry in terms of products of Geographical Indication (GI), including such iconic items as the Traditional Cumberland Sausage and the Melton Mowbray Pork Pie.
“The protection of geographical names designating agricultural products has existed for over 100 years and, currently, three schemes are available through the EU,” it is stated in the report, pointing out that the UK currently has 61 registered GI food items, including half a dozen pig meat products.”
With GIs enabling producers to differentiate their products and protect them from imitation within the EU and on some international markets, the report focuses on the question of what happens after Brexit.
“When the UK leaves the EU, registered protected food names should still be able to benefit from EU protection, provided there is a reciprocal agreement between the UK and the EU,” it is concluded.
“If the UK wishes to register protected food names with the EU post-Brexit, however, it would need to set up its own national approval scheme. This is because only products approved by a non-EU country’s own national scheme can be considered for approval under the EU protected food scheme.”