Earlier this month, Wensleydale was granted Protected Geographical Indication status (PGI) from the European Commission, which means that only cheese produced in the designated area surrounding the Wensleydale Valley in North Yorkshire and to a traditional recipe can be labelled as Yorkshire Wensleydale.

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The cheese joins other British favourites with protected Food Name Status (PFN), including Blue Stilton, Dorset Blue and Orkney Island Cheddar.

Commenting on the Commission's granting of PFN status, farming minister, George Eustice said on Thursday 19^th December, "We have a wealth of food across the UK which we all enjoy that deserve to be celebrated. The Protected Food Name Scheme is a great way to champion our favourite produce and preserve our outstanding heritage. I look forward to seeing more UK food names added to that register next year."

The Protected Food Name scheme was introduced in 1993 as a means of protecting some of Europe's heritage foods, produced to a traditional recipe or in a distinct geographical area, from imitation. 2013 has seen seven other UK registrations to the EU's growing PFN list, including Fenland Celery, Stornoway Black Pudding and Lakeland Herdwick. There are currently 59 UK products with protected name designation.