Minister and MEP backs banger battle

The fight to protect the Lincolnshire sausage has won fresh top-level backing.

Minister for Europe Caroline Flint and East Midlands MEP Glenis Willmott have pledged to back a campaign to get Protected Geographical Indication status for Lincolnshire sausages.

The pair visited Lincoln yesterday and called in at Curtis’s in Long Leys Road and Elite Meats in Bailgate after city MP Gillian Merron set up meetings.

Mrs Flint said it was important inferior products didn’t tarnish the reputation of good local produce.

“From what I have tried and seen, Lincolnshire sausages deserve the PGI,” said Mrs Flint.

“I think it’s really important for local regions to have their signature dishes recognised as just that.”

Since sampling some of the home-grown pork product, Mrs Willmott has promised to raise the issue at the European Parliament in Brussels.

“Once the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has made decisions regarding the Lincolnshire sausage, I will discuss the topic with other MEPs and hopefully give it the backing it needs,” she said.

Their support follows a five-year battle from the Lincolnshire Sausage Association, which has so far seen a cook-off on the steps of the EU Parliament four years ago, applications to Defra for the protected status and a petition delivered to Downing Street.

The petition, launched last week, was set up in a bid to get backing from the Prime Minister. It had more than 400 signatures as of yesterday evening.

More info from the Echo

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