Lincolnshire sausages could get protected status

Lincolnshire sausages could become the latest food to be given protected status.

DEFRA is considering whether to submit an application to the Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) scheme.

That could mean that only sausages made in Lincolnshire could use the name and they would need to be made to an authentic recipe – as with the Cornish Pasty and Melton Mowbray pie.

The Lincolnshire Sausage Association has been campaigning for sausages made in the county to receive PGI status since October 2005.

Lincolnshire pig farmer and LSA chairman, Janet Godfrey, said: “Not many people outside of the county actually make them to a Lincolnshire recipe.

“A lot of people say they don’t like Lincolnshire sausages, but that’s because they have never had the real thing. That is one of the reasons we are doing this.”

Authentic Lincolnshire sausages should contain a minimum 70% of coarse ground or minced pork, packed in natural casings and flavoured with sage, added Ms Godfrey. The only other ingredients should be rusk, bread, salt and pepper.

A DEFRA spokesman said: “We are currently considering the application for the Lincolnshire sausage to be put forward under the EU Protected Food Name Scheme as a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI).

“We’ve been looking at all of the evidence provided by those applying for the status, as well as any objections, and will make a decision soon on submitting the application.”

Britain currently has 48 foods protected from imitations by the EU Protected Food Name Scheme, including Cornish clotted cream and Melton Mowbray pork pies.