Iconic British products – such as Cornish pasties and Melton Mowbray pork pies – will gain a boost in Japan from tomorrow (29 February), after London and Tokyo completed processes to protect a range of Geographical Indications (GI).
“GIs are vital for building trust and enhancing brand recognition, ultimately driving export growth and supporting the sustainability of local industries,” the government said in a statement. “They also reinforce the UK’s position as a producer of distinctive and sought-after goods.”
The UK signed a post-Brexit trade deal with Japan in October 2020 – the first such deal following its departure from the EU.
Authentic
From tomorrow, 37 GIs will gain formal protection, including for Cornish clotted cream, Cumberland sausages, Scotch beef and Welsh Lamb in the UK. Japan will see the same number of agricultural products and beverages safeguarded.
“Consumers in Japan can now be assured that they are enjoying the authentic taste of great British food and drink,” said trade minister Greg Hands.
“This announcement not only protects beloved British delicacies like Scotch Beef and Cornish Pasties, but also gives UK producers added confidence when selling into Japan, part of our plan to help British businesses grow and export more.”
Welcomed across the UK
The news has been welcomed across the UK, with Grant Moir, managing director of Ayrshire beef producer Stoddart, telling the Scotsman:
"Since Stoddart’s started to supply beef to Japan back in 2019, the brand attributes of Scotch Beef has always been a major draw for the Japanese market.”
Paul Brooks, the lead for UK nations and regions at the Institute of Export & International Trade (IOE&IT), said:
“The announcement will be great news for producers of several iconic UK products including Welsh laverbread and Caerphilly cheese, Orkney Scottish Island cheddar and Yorkshire Wensleydale.”
Since the UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement came into force at the start of 2021, the number of protected GIs between the UK and Japan has risen from just seven, under the previous EU deal the UK had access to before Brexit, to now over 70.
“A second group of protections is set to be announced once further work has concluded,” the government has said.
