UK businesses welcome protection for iconic British food and drink in Japan
March 01, 2024
Grimsby’s Traditional Smoked Fish, which also showcases the Made Great In Grimsby logo on the packaging, welcomes the news that it is one of 37 Geographical Indicators (GIs) for UK food and drink in Japan, formally gaining protection this week.
Japan and the UK will now complete the process to grant special protected status to iconic British food and drink products including Grimsby’s Traditional Smoked Fish and Arbroath Smokies to safeguard against imitation, preventing counterfeit products from being placed on the Japanese market. This will ensure UK businesses can export with confidence and consumers receive authentic, high-quality products. Protection means British businesses can export to Japan with the confidence that their products are protected against imitation, which is part of the UK’s Government’s plan to help businesses export and grow.
Businesses have welcomed the news that 37 Geographical Indications (GIs) have formally gained protection this week following the completion of UK and Japanese scrutiny processes. A second group of protections is set to be announced once further work has concluded.
Japan’s population of 125 million has a strong appetite for international food and drink. The country’s status as the world’s third largest economy in 2022 and GDP per capita of £27,400 highlights the strength of its consumer market and the commercial opportunities for premium British products in Japan.
Patrick Salmon, from Grimsby Traditional Haddock Smoker, Alfred Enderby’s, met with Steve Barclay Secretary of State for environmental food and Rural Affairs and Mark Spencer Minister for Food, Farming and Fisheries this week at No 10 Downing Street, along with 100 guests as the announcement was made public.
Patrick said ‘We are delighted to have the protection for Japanese trade; the protected food name scheme is a sign post to great quality and often artisan produced foods. It has never been more important to protect and support specialist producers such as Alfred Enderby’s and other Grimsby Traditional Smoking businesses’.