Lamb grazed on samphire, sorrel and sea lavender on the Gower penisula in Wales is the first UK food to receive protection under the post-Brexit regime.
The UK’s independent geographical indication scheme, which marks out products from a particular region to prevent them being undermined by copycats from elsewhere, was set up to replace a previous EU-wide scheme.
Produced using knowledge and skills dating back to medieval times, Gower salt marsh lamb comes from lamb born, reared and slaughtered in south Wales. About 3,500 lambs a year are reared on the marshes.
Dan and Will Pritchard from Weobley Castle Farm, who produce Gower salt marsh lamb, said: “We are the third generation of Pritchards to farm in this amazing location, meaning that we’ve perfected our way of rearing lamb over the years. We currently produce around 1,000 lambs per year – taking care of the whole process to create meat with a unique local flavour of samphire and sea lavender.
“This recognition means that the reputation of our regional product is protected, and it helps us promote traditional agricultural practices and eliminate non-genuine products.”
The UK protection regime – which includes speciality products such as traditional Bramley apple pie filling, as well as products linked to a particular region – already includes more than 5,000 products from across Europe originally given protection under the EU scheme, such as Melton Mowbray pies, Jersey Royal potatoes, and champagne.
However, Gower salt marsh lamb, and any future products listed under the new UK scheme, will only be protected from copycats in England, Wales and Scotland. Producers of the lamb, and any other products wanting to join the list in England, Wales and Scotland, will have to apply for separate protection in the EU, involving further costs and paperwork.
The all-party parliamentary group (APPG) on geographically protected foods launched a consultation in May seeking views from British food and drink producers on the new scheme.
Applications currently in process include Sussex wine, Dundee cake and New Forest pannage ham.
The food minister, Victoria Prentis, said: “I would encourage producers from all around the UK to apply to the scheme, so that we can celebrate and protect more of our excellent local produce, and ensure it is given the recognition that it deserves.”