The UK Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has been accused of “nit-picking” after rejecting a proposed amendment to the protected designation of origin (PDO) for Stilton, that would have allowed the popular cheese to be made in Stilton.
Under the European Union (EU) PDO scheme, which is designed to protect the historical geographical status of agricultural products and foodstuffs, cheese can only be sold under the name ‘Stilton’ if it is made in Leicestershire, Derbyshire, or Nottinghamshire, and meets specific manufacturing criteria.
The proposed amendment, which was filed by Stilton-based The Original Cheese Company, called for the village of Stilton in neighbouring Cambridgeshire – “where Stilton cheese originated” – to be added to the PDO for Stilton.
