CLA backs Lincolnshire’s butchers

Left to right: Helen Woolley, CLA East Midlands Regional Director hands over membership application to Janet Godfrey, LSA Chairman

The Lincolnshire Sausage Association's (LSA) campaign to secure European Union protective status for the Lincolnshire Sausage received a boost at this year's Lincolnshire Show as the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) backed the campaign and joined the association.

LSA was formed earlier this year to put forward an application to the European Commission to secure PGI/PGO status for the Lincolnshire Sausage. With over 31 butchers now members the campaign is gathering pace as preparation is underway for a formal application to be made via Food From Britain.

Janet Godfrey, Chairman of the Lincolnshire Sausage Association and Lincolnshire Forum for Agriculture and Horticulture was able to accept the CLA's membership application from CLA East Midlands Regional Director, Helen Woolley at the Lincolnshire Show.

Janet Godfrey said, "We are delighted that the CLA has expressed their support and joined the LSA. With further backing of organisations such as the CLA, local butchers, the general public and government, we have a great chance gaining protective status for one of our most distinctive regional foods".

Helen Woolley said, "The CLA has campaigned vigorously to encourage regional food producers to use the opportunity available to gain protective status. EU countries are accustomed to protecting the names of their finest fare so why shouldn't our regional foods enjoy the same status?

"We would challenge consumers to swap just one of their regular grocery items for a regionally distinctive one, perhaps starting with the Lincolnshire Sausage. Once you have seen the difference in taste and quality we are sure you will want to swap more".

Janet concluded, "To support our application we need to provide tangible evidence that the Lincolnshire Sausage has a reputation. To achieve this we have produced a survey entitled 'What do consumers expect of a Lincolnshire Sausage?' We would urge as many people as possible to complete the survey and return it to us".

The survey can be downloaded from www.cla.org.uk, requested from CLA East Midlands Regional Office on 01858 468949 or email: info.eastmidlands@cla.org.uk.

Surveys are to be returned to: Mr. Graham Booth – Secretary Lincolnshire Sausage Association, C/o George Adams Ltd, Cresent House, Fulney Lane, Spalding, Lincolnshire PE12 6EZ or email: gbooth@geo-adams.co.uk.