FDBusiness.com

The European Commission has approved the addition of three new products from France and the United Kingdom to the quality register of Protected Geographical Indications (PGI). To start with, the ‘Charolais de Bourgogne’ is beef meat of the Charolais breed type from animals reared ineight French departments in the wider region of Bourgogne. The region ranks among the most fertile in Europe hosting a system of extensive livestock farming.

Also protected are two beverages coming from the UK and most particularly Wales. The ‘Traditional Welsh Perry’ (in Welsh ‘Perai Cymreig Traddodiadol’) is the first pressed juice of perry pears grown in Wales. The Welsh county providing the majority of pears for ‘Traditional Welsh Perry’ is eastern Monmouthshire where perry pear trees can be as old as 300 years old. The ‘Traditional Welsh Cider’ (in Welsh ‘Seidr Cymreig Traddodiadol’) is cider made from first-pressed juice of cider apples grown as well in Wales. In 2001 the Welsh Perry and Cider Society was formed and today there are approximately 50 cider makers and 20 perry makers in Wales. These new denominations will be added to the list of over 1,395 products already protected.