Festive favourites such as Single Malt Welsh Whisky and Beacon Fell Traditional Lancashire Cheese are just some of the products that are now protected against imitation under the new geographical indication (GI).
The world’s fourth largest economy (as of 2023), Japan presents a wealth of commercial opportunities for UK food and drink manufacturers. The news has been welcomed by members of the food and drink industry.
Minister for Food Security Daniel Zeichner said: “I’m thrilled to see there’s a taste for authentic British food and drink in Japan. We are committed to growing trade opportunities for British producers around the world as part of our Plan for Change, boosting growth and benefitting businesses across the country.
Quality and reputation
“The UK is home to a feast of flavours from every corner of the British Isles. With the new agreement between the UK and Japan, consumers will now be able to chew over their choices with confidence, knowing they’re getting the quality and reputation that British food is known for – it’s the perfect recipe for success.”
The latest batch of GIs follows 37 that gained protection in the country earlier this year, including Cornish Pasties and Anglesey Sea Salt.
Trade Minister Douglas Alexander added: “Iconic UK products such as Ayrshire New Potatoes and Carmarthen Ham will now benefit from protected status in Japan. From Sussex to Armagh, we are securing protections for unique British food and drink products, ensuring Japanese consumers can rest assured that they are receiving authentic, high-quality British produce.
“This early Christmas present to British producers will give them confidence when exporting to Japan, helping them sell more, grow their business and ultimately drive economic growth.”
Protected in Japan
Rathfinny’s Traditional Method Sussex sparkling wines were launched in Japan in 2023 and now benefit from the extra protections afforded by its GI. Co-founder of the Rathfinny Wine Estate Mark Driver described the protected designation of the origin as a mark of both provenance and quality.
Co-founder and managing director of Halen Môn, Alison Lea-Wilson, said: “We are proud to have the name and method of Halen Môn recognised in Japan as authentic and possessing the special qualities that set it apart from other salts.
“GI status offers brands such as Halen Môn protection against passing off and another way of differentiating ourselves from our competitors. We know that Japanese consumers recognise the premium quality of British brands and are keen to buy the authentic product, so it’s great to hear that Japan is recognising further GIs from the UK.”
Meanwhile, in August, Scotch whisky secured Geographical Indication in Brazil, protection that could be worth £25m to the industry over the next five years.
UK food, drink, and agricultural products to be protected in Japan include:
- Armagh Bramley Apples
- Ayrshire New Potatoes/Ayrshire Earlies
- Beacon Fell Traditional Lancashire Cheese
- Bonchester Cheese
- Buxton Blue
- Cambrian Mountains Lamb
- Carmarthen Ham
- Cornish Sardines
- Darnibole
- Dovedale Cheese
- Fal Oysters
- Fenland Celery
- Gloucestershire Cider
- Gloucestershire Perry
- Gower Salt Marsh Lamb
- Lakeland Herdwick
- New Season Comber Potatoes / Comber Earlies Potatoes
- Newmarket Sausage
- Orkney Beef
- Orkney Lamb
- Rutland Bitter
- Scottish Wild Salmon
- Shetland Lamb
- Sussex Wine
- Swaledale Ewes Cheese
- Teviotdale Cheese
- The Vale of Clwyd Denbigh Plum
- Traditional Welsh Cider
- Traditional Welsh Perry
- Vale of Evesham Asparagus
- West Wales Coracle Caught Salmon
- West Wales Coracle Caught Sewin
- Whitstable Oysters
- Worcestershire Cider
- Worcestershire Perry
- Yorkshire Forced Rhubarb
- New Forest Pannage Ham
- Welsh Leeks
- Welsh Whisky
