News
37 UK food and drink products gain protected status in Japan
A total of 37 Geographical Indications (GIs) gained protection on 29 February 2024, with a second group of protections set to be announced once further work is completed between UK and Japanese officials.
Goods that earned protection include Scotch Beef, Cornish Clotted Cream, Cornish Pasties, Anglesey Sea Salt, Melton Mowbray Pork Pies, Staffordshire Cheese and Welsh Lamb.
Securing GIs for these products helps prevent counterfeit versions being placed on the Japanese market, in turn ensuring that UK businesses can export with confidence and consumers receive authentic goods.
As part of the agreement, the UK is also protecting the GIs of 37 Japanese food and drink products, including Hokkaido Wine and Hiba Beef.
‘Deal gives UK producers added confidence’
Commenting on the agreement, UK Government trade policy minister Greg Hands said that food and drink produced around the country was “highly sought after around the world”.
“Consumers in Japan can now be assured that they are enjoying the authentic taste of great British food and drink,” continued Hands.
"This announcement not only protects beloved British delicacies like Scotch Beef and Cornish Pasties, but also gives UK producers added confidence when selling into Japan, part of our plan to help British businesses grow and export more."
Meanwhile, food and farming minister Mark Spencer said that the GI protections served as a “guarantee of quality and excellence”.
“These additional protections will give assurance to British farmers and producers who export their unique products to Japan – and to Japanese consumers who will know they are buying the real thing,” he added.
‘Will only benefit our global reputation’
Nicholas Rodda, the managing director of Rodda’s, believes that GI status will provide the business with new opportunities around the world for its authentic Cornish Clotted Cream.
“The GI status ensures consumers can continue to enjoy Cornish Clotted Cream with knowledge that it has been made in Cornwall, with Cornish milk and crafted using traditional methods as it has been at Rodda's for over 130 years,” Rodda concluded.
AK Stoddart has supplied Scotch Beef to Japan since 2019, and the firm’s managing director Grant Moir believes that the addition of the GI “will only enhance and strengthen the Scotch and Stoddart's brand in Japan”.
"Scotland has long been admired for its food and drink heritage and this will only benefit the global reputation of Scotland,” Moir added.
In other news, a Welsh food wholesaler is planning to create 150 jobs and open a new depot as part of its £6m expansion plan.
