Wensleydale campaign seeks support from cheese lovers

THE campaign to give Wensleydale cheese the same status as Champagne and Parma ham has taken a huge step forward with its makers now asking the public for their help in taking it to the next level.
By The Newsroom
Published 16th Feb 2010, 10:55 BST
Updated 16th Feb 2010, 10:55 BST

The Wensleydale Creamery, in Hawes, is bidding to protect Real Yorkshire Wensleydale cheese by applying for Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status, which would mean that other manufacturers would be unable to make a cheese and call it Yorkshire Wensleydale.

The application has now reached the powers that be in the European Commission and to add further weight to the campaign, the Wensleydale Creamery has set up a special website – www.realyorkshirewensleydale.co.uk – where people can register their support for the application.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

PDO status aims to promote and protect food products in the EU and is used to describe foods produced, processed and prepared in a given geographical area using traditional methods.

David Hartley, the creamery's managing director, said: "PDO status will help to enhance the future prosperity of Wensleydale – the livelihoods of more than 200 staff and more than 50 farming families that depend on the creamery – as well as defending the provenance of a cheese which has been produced in this area since 1150.

"If you see a product with a PDO stamp, you can be sure it's an exceptional food and you can also be sure of where it comes from.

"In anticipation of being awarded PDO status, we have already started to brand our Real Yorkshire Wensleydale Cheese with a Stamp of Authenticity to let consumers know it is the genuine article as part of our "Making Provenance Matter" initiative.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"A PDO application is a lengthy process, but we hope that it will reach its conclusion by the end of the year."

Real Yorkshire Wensleydale cheese is the only Wensleydale cheese actually made in Wensleydale and is made from milk produced by dairy herds from more than 50 farms in the dale. It is said that the sweet limestone meadows which the cows graze in are rich in herbs, which gives the cheese its special flavour.

The creamery's campaign, backed by the Yorkshire Post, has already secured substantial backing. In 2007, 14,000 signatures of support were taken to the House of Commons.

Related topics:Wensleydale Creamery