Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a geographical indication scheme for UK food and drink after the transition period.

At the end of the transition period, we will launch UK Geographical Indication (GI) schemes, as part of our strategy to protect regional and traditional foods. Collectively, GI products like Scotch Whisky, Melton Mowbray Pork Pies and Welsh Lamb represent 25% of the UK’s food and drink export value and are highly valued by the communities that produce them. We are committed to celebrating the success of these products and ensuring they are fully protected from imitation and evocation in the UK from 1 January 2021.

The new UK GI framework will fully comply with the WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights. As we establish new trade relationships around the world, we will seek to promote GI products as exemplars of quality British food and drink through campaigns like Food is Great.