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Get your free copy14 June 2013, 10:49 AM
- Scottish food producers are being urged by the Government to apply for EU protected status for their brands to prevent imitations
There are currently 12 Scottish products registered under the EU’s Protected Food Names (PFN) scheme, including Arbroath Smokies and Stornoway Black Pudding, and only 48 protected foods across the whole of the UK.
This puts Britain far behind other European countries, with France holding 197 and Italy being granted protected status for 254 products.
Richard Lochhead, secretary of rural affairs, said, “I believe there’s scope for many more producers to put their products forward for recognition, protecting them from imitation and giving their brand a real boost.
“I hope our push at the Royal Highland Show gives more producers the encouragement they need to get involved in the scheme – ultimately their product stands to be a winner as well as Scotland’s food and drink industry as a whole.”
