Scotland is one of the leading users of protected food names in the EU, but this could end when the UK leaves the EU. The best known in farming circles are Scotch Beef and Lamb, wild and farmed salmon and of course whisky. Other less common examples are Orkney Beef and Lamb, Shetland Lamb, native Shetland wool, Orkney Scottish island cheddar, Stornoway black pudding and Traditional Ayrshire Dunlop cheese. Teviotdale and Bonchester cheese are registered, but not currently in production.

Protected name categories

There are three types of protected food name: product of geographical indication (PGI), product designation of origin (PDO) and traditional speciality guaranteed (TSG). PGIs and PDOs are quite similar.

The PGI requires product to be produced, processed or prepared in the geographical area the applicant wants to associate with the product. It must have a specific quality, reputation or other characteristic attributable to the geographical area.

The PDO has a slightly tighter definition in that the product must be produced, processed and prepared in one geographical area and have characteristics associated with that area, and that these characteristics are essentially due to that area.

TSGs, on the other hand, are not so much about the geographical area but the product characteristics that differentiate it from other similar products.

Scotch Beef and Scotch Lamb are the most familiar Scottish names protected under PGI status. Orkney Beef and Orkney Lamb plus Shetland Lamb have PDO status.

Enhanced status in Europe

Regional differentiation of products under these designations are more widely recognised in continental Europe than they are in the UK. In Europe they give the product an enhanced status with consumers and also carry the opportunity for specific brand promotion under EU rules and with EU funding.

These protected food names have been contentious in various trade talks undertaken by the EU in recent times. There was a reluctance by the USA to recognise them during the now-stalled trade talks under TTIP.

Similarly, they caused plenty of debate before the EU reached what they considered a satisfactory conclusion in the CETA trade deal with Canada and, more recently, with Japan. There is a reluctance outside Europe to recognise what could be seen as generic produce because of its geographical association.

This all presents a further problem for Scotland (and Wales) when the UK leaves the EU in 2019. Not only will EU funding for the promotion of these designated brands be lost, but their value could be lost as well if provision isn’t made to recognise them in trade talks that are ongoing between the UK and EU.

The worst-case scenario in a hard Brexit is that they will effectively cease to exist. Alternatively, Scotland and/or the UK may develop its own branding to give similar effect, but there will remain the challenge of getting recognition or equivalence with the EU as part of the future negotiations.

Scotland’s protected food names

  • Traditional Ayrshire Dunlop Cheese (PGI).
  • Scottish Farmed Salmon (PGI).
  • Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar (PGI).
  • Scotch Lamb (PGI).
  • Stornoway Black Pudding (PGI).
  • Scotch Beef (PGI).
  • Scottish Wild Salmon (PGI).
  • Arbroath Smokie (PGI).
  • Shetland Lamb (PDO).
  • Native Shetland Wool (PDO).
  • Orkney Beef (PDO).
  • Teviotdale Cheese (currently not in production) (PGI).
  • Orkney Lamb (PDO).
  • Bonchester Cheese (currently not in production) (PDO).