Gloucestershire Old Spots Pork gets traditional speciality status

The Gloucestershire Old-spot breed of pig has today been added to the list of The European “Traditional Speciality Guaranteed” products under the European Union’s quality labelling scheme. This means that producers who wish to use the EU’s “TSG” label on these products must follow the precise specifications set out in the product characteristics.

“Traditional Speciality Guaranteed” means a traditional agricultural product or foodstuff with at least 25 years proven usage in the EU market and recognised by the EU for its specific character. This registration will not prevent other producers from using the same name, even if they do not follow the specifications approved. Producers making these products to a different recipe would however not be allowed to use the “‘TSG” label.  

Traditional Farmfresh Turkey is another British product that has the TSG.

The denomination is part of an EU scheme which promotes and protects names of quality agricultural products and foodstuffs. Its aim is to encourage diverse agricultural production, to protect product names from misuse and imitation and to help inform consumers of the specific character of products.

Other categories include:

• PDO (protected destination of origin) – covers agricultural products and foodstuffs which are produced, processed and prepared in a given geographical area using recognised know-how.
• PGI (protected geographical indication) – covers agricultural products and foodstuffs closely linked to the geographical area. At least one of the stages of production, processing or preparation takes place in the area.

Among the UK foodstuff recognised under the other two categories are Cornish clotted cream, Yorkshire Forced Rhubarb, Melton Mowbray Pork Pies and Welsh Lamb and Beef.

Background

For a complete list of UK produce recognised by the three schemes, consult the DOOR database (database of origin and registration): http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/quality/database/index_en.htm

For more information about how to register products go to: http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/quality/schemes/index_en.htm