Welsh Gower Salt Marsh Lamb first registered under UK’s post-Brexit geographical indication scheme

11 Aug 2021 --- Gower Salt Marsh Lamb has received official recognition of authenticity and provenance under the UK’s new, independent geographical indication (GI) schemes. It is the first new food to be recognized since the end of the Brexit Transition Period with the EU and blazes the trail for more UK specialty items, such as Sussex wine and Dundee cake.

“I can think of no better product [than Gower Salt Marsh Lamb] to kick start our new scheme with,” says UK food minister Victoria Prentis.

Stamp of approval
The programs have been designed to protect traditional products’ quality, authenticity and origin in England, Wales and Scotland. 

Producers whose foods are granted GI status benefit from intellectual property protection so that others cannot imitate them. Protected products can be identified with the GI logo, giving consumers confidence in the supermarket that they are buying authentic products. 

The new UK GI logos guarantee authenticity and origin to consumers.Gower Salt Marsh Lamb joins the list of other iconic UK products, such as Scotch Whisky and Wensleydale Cheese, meaning that these GI logos will be increasingly popping up in stores. 

“Transparency Triumphs” tops the list of 2021’s Top Ten Trends as identified by Innova Market Insights. This comes as consumers demand more knowledge about the origin and authenticity of their foods and beverages. 

Gower Salt Marsh Lamb 
The meat produced from lambs born and reared on the Gower Peninsula in South Wales now has full protection and recognition as a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO). The Gower salt marshes offer a unique environment to lambs, where they can graze over the vast flat expanses. 

The protection was given as Gower Salt Marsh Lamb producers were able to demonstrate their meat’s characteristics are essentially and exclusively due to its particular area of production.

The meat gains its characteristics from specific vegetation and environment of the salt marshes on the north Gower coastline, where the lambs graze over long distances for more than half of their lifetime. 

Tapping into terroir
Historically, the north Gower salt marshes have supported thousands of sheep and are currently grazed by 3,500 lambs per year. It is a seasonal product, available from June until the end of December.

Dan and Will Pritchard from Weobley Castle Farm, who produce Gower Salt Marsh Lamb, say they have “perfected” the way of rearing lamb as third-generation farmers. 

“We currently produce around 1,000 lambs per year – taking care of the whole process to create meat with a unique, local flavor of samphire and sea lavender. This recognition means that the reputation of our regional product is protected, and it helps us promote traditional agricultural practices and eliminate non-genuine products.” 

Gower Salt Marsh Lamb gains its flavor characteristics from vegetation in the vast Welsh salt marshes (Credit: Weobley Castle Farm).Adding to Wales’ food heritage
The UK government works to ensure that all culturally and economically important products from across the UK are protected from imitation. 

This is achieved in collaboration with the devolved administrations and regional counterparts, who have an advisory role and support applicants.

 In Wales alone, there are now 17 GIs in total. This recognition enables the inclusion of these iconic products in celebrations of Welsh food and drink.

“Wales boasts an outstanding selection of food and drink including cheese, seafood and beer,” says secretary of state for Wales Simon Hart.

“Guaranteeing the authenticity of Welsh food and drink helps cement our reputation for quality both at home and in new international markets.”

Last September, Innova Market Insights highlighted the vital importance of authenticity in storytelling to win consumers over. 

“I would encourage producers from all around the UK to apply to the scheme, so that we can celebrate and protect more of our local produce. We want people, at home and abroad, to be lining up to buy British,” adds Prentis. 

Opportunities emerge for authenticity
New trade deals are opening doors for British agriculture and food and drink businesses around the world. 

Defra and the Department for International Trade are working in lockstep with partners like the NFU, NFU Cymru, Farmers’ Union of Wales, the AHDB and the Food and Drink Federation to deliver tailored support on the ground for farmers and food producers through our Open Doors program, which offers free advice and support to potential exporters. 

Edited by Missy Green