16 October 2008, 14:08 PM
  • Following a ten-year application process, the famous Melton Mowbray Pork Pie has finally secured Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status.

“It isn’t officially announced,” reveals Matthew O’Callaghan, the chairman of the Melton Mowbray Pork Pie Association, “but it’s as good as done. Last April, the EU published its intention to grant the Melton Mowbray Pork Pie protection. From this moment, other European countries had six months to object otherwise status is automatically granted. This period is now over, so we only wait for the official publication confirming everything.”

From now on, only products made in certain East Midlands areas according to a strict recipe will be able to call themselves Melton Mowbray Pork Pie. This is very good news for producers local to the area who will have the same protection that Champagne makers in France enjoy.

“The process to obtain EU protection is generally quite easy, but unfortunately we ran into a lot of opposition,” explains Mr O’Callaghan. “There was a number of manufacturers making pies outside the designated area and a PGI meant their products wouldn’t be able to be called Melton Mowbray Pork Pie any longer.”

Mr O’Callaghan believes the PGI status will have a very positive impact. “People who buy a Melton Mowbray Pork Pie will now have a guarantee of quality,” he concludes.