Cornish pasty battles for status

The Cornish pasty industry is worth £150m a year

When is a Cornish pasty not a Cornish pasty?

When it is not made in Cornwall, one of the county's MEPs has told the European Union.

It is a fine tradition and important to Cornwall's economy

Graham Watson

South West Liberal Democrat MEP Graham Watson is seeking a status for the humble Cornish pasty which would ensure only pasties which originate from the county are worthy of the name.

As part of his campaign he presented a Cornish pasty to EU food commissioner Dr Franz Fischler in Brussels on Thursday.

Mr Watson is looking for Protected Geographical Indication (PGI), the second highest level of status for a local product that the EU can give.

"Any pasty in Europe described as Cornish should actually come from Cornwall," he said.

"It is a fine tradition and important to Cornwall's economy. I shall be pressing hard for this protection."

Pasty summit

Earlier this month St Ives MP Andrew George tabled an early day motion stating: "This House believes that the humble Cornish pasty is the produce of a unique tradition of working men and women in Cornwall."

Cornish pasties are made by 87 manufacturers in Cornwall

The campaign is backed by the county's 87 pasty manufacturers who produce £150m worth of pasties every year.

Over 50 bakers, beef, wheat and organic ingredients suppliers and others attended a "pasty summit" in Truro last month and lent their support to the initiative.

It is also being supported by the Cornwall County Council Trading Standards Agency.

The issue of the labelling of food and drink is so contentious that in 1992, the EU was forced to introduce two classifications to protect the authenticity of locally produced produce.

British products accorded PGI status include Newcastle Brown Ale and Scotch Beef.