DEFRA Minister Victoria Prentis visited Wensleydale Creamery in Hawes to highlight the introduction of a new scheme to protect traditional UK produce.

The new UK Geographical Indication (GI) schemes are the bedrock of the government’s overarching strategy to protect traditional, local foods by giving unique products of origin the recognition they deserve.

The Wensleydale Creamery was awarded Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status by the European Commission in December 2013 to protect the authenticity of its Yorkshire Wensleydale cheese.

This status recognises the distinctive qualities of its famous cheese, created using traditional techniques and a time-honoured recipe, together with its unique cheesemaking starter culture.

Importantly, the status recognises the geographical area in which the cheese is made, in its rightful home of Wensleydale.

The introduction of the new UK GI schemes will reaffirm true Yorkshire Wensleydale credentials and help shoppers differentiate it over other Wensleydale cheeses, made in other counties.

During her visit to the Creamery, Ms Prentis turning her hand to the art of cheesemaking and cheese grading and toured the Yorkshire Wensleydale Cheese Experience, stopping at the viewing gallery to watch the Creamery’s master cheesemakers in action.

Ms Prentis, who was appointed Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) in February last year, said: “It was fantastic to visit the Wensleydale Creamery, home to the original Yorkshire Wensleydale Cheese, to learn more about its history as one of the major UK Geographical Indication producers.

“Sites such as the Creamery are major providers of rural jobs, contributing millions of pounds to local economies across the UK.

"Everyone should try more of the UK’s excellent local and regional produce, and I hope to see more producers sign up to our new GI schemes, which protects products with special quality, provenance and heritage.”

Sandra Bell, marketing manager at the Creamery, said: “We welcome Minster Prentis’s visit and her support for protecting iconic British foods through the new GI schemes.

“Our iconic Yorkshire Wensleydale cheese is extremely important to us and something we are proud to protect.

"It is important for us and our loyal customers that it is handcrafted here in its rightful home of Wensleydale.

“The GI schemes and logos are essential to differentiating unique British brands on-shelf, ensuring we continue to protect the authentic heritage and provenance of handcrafted Yorkshire Wensleydale cheese.”

Research conducted for DEFRA found that consumers were interested in the story behind the products that they buy.

It also found that they were keen on purchasing regional foods to support local producers, and that they associate local produce with higher quality.

As the biggest employer in a deeply rural area of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, the Creamery not only provides vital jobs for the community, but sources milk from over 40 local farms, and also supports local businesses by stocking produce in its Visitor Centre and Online Deli, as well as incorporating into dishes served.