West Country Beef and Lamb protected by law

West Country Beef and West Country Lamb will become protected names across Europe from next year onwards.

Meat produced in six south west counties including Devon will receive the same protected status as Jersey Royal Potatoes, Scottish Wild Salmon and Cornish Clotted Cream through a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI).

The PGI means local goods will be given legal protection against imitation that will help them build a brand name without its reputation being damaged by inferior products.

Farmers and producers have welcomed the news which will see West Country Beef and Lamb protected across the European Union.

Peter Baber, chairman of Meat South West (MSW), the organisation behind the PGI application, said: “This is a key milestone and very positive outcome, following a long process to obtain a PGI for West Country beef and lamb.

“We are delighted with the latest step in the process and look forward to marketing beef and lamb under the West Country PGI banner in the new year.”

To be eligible for PGI the Stock must be born, raised and finished in Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Gloucestershire, Dorset or Wiltshire and must have been fed mostly on grass.

Neil Parish, MP for Tiverton and Honiton and  a former farmer welcomed the news: “The West Country produces some of the world’s best grass fed beef and lamb and I am delighted that it is to be at last recognised with a West Country PGI banner.

“The farming heritage and welfare standards of beef and lamb production in the South West make the label “West Country” a mark of quality and a real selling point.”

The decision came following a five month EU-wide consultation process from the European Commission, as no opposition to the plans were received the Commission is now preparing to register the names West Country Beef and West Country Lamb.