New PGI applications as Northern Foods' war rages on

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has received several new applications from UK food producers for protected geographical indication status (PGI).

Forced rhubarb from Yorkshire's 'Pink Triangle'; Cornish sardines caught within 13km of the Cornish Coast; Colchester oysters from the estuaries of the river Cole; and English Beef and Lamb are all currently being considered for protection.

Meanwhile, Northern Foods' campaign against an application for PGI status for Melton Mowbray Pork Pies has gone to the European Court of Justice.

Earlier this year the Court of Appeal rejected Northern's request to appeal against a High Court decision to back the controversial application.

If the application is successful, the prepared foods giant could lose the right to label pies made at factories in Market Drayton and Trowbridge as Melton Mowbray.

Northern faces similar problems with Cornish pasties, if the Cornish Pasty Association's application to protect the Cornish pies is granted.