Bosses at a Market Drayton food factory vowed not to let a European law banning them from producing Melton Mowbray Pork Pies affect them.
Palethorpes is no longer able to make Melton Mowbray Pork Pies, after a decision by the European Commission to grant Protected Geographical Indicator (PGI) to the pies.
It means only pork pies made in the traditional manner in and around the Leicestershire town will be able to use the town’s name.
Palethorpes, off Maer Lane, had challenged plans to protect the pie, but dropped its case in 2006 and moved production of the product to its sister factory in Nottingham, which falls within the protected area.
John Evans, Palethorpes human resources manager, said some jobs were lost when production was moved, but this had been was decided before the European Commission ruling.
“We had already decided we would move our cold pie production out of Palethorpes, so we’re not unaffected by the PGI,” he said.
“We had already made the strategic decision we were going to move the pork pie production out of Palethorpes and there were some job losses when that happened, but that was before the PGI ruling had taken place.”
The ruling will now become law after the deadline for objections passed on Friday.
14 Comments
Hooray for the PGI. Our food and drink is every bit as good as French stuff, given a chance. They’d go ballistic if a winery not in Champagne thought it could make champagne. Exactly the same applies to pork pies, if I want a proper Melton Mowbray one I don’t want a factory made one from Shropshire. It’s just be a fake.
Katie said:
“Hooray for the PGI. - if I want a proper Melton Mowbray one I don’t want a factory made one from Shropshire. It’s just be a fake”
Hooray indeed Katie…..now you can have one made in a factory in Nottinghamshire. The trouble is, Melton Mowbray is in Leicestershire!
Who cares. I buy Shropshire pork pies from Ryan’s butchers in Much Wenlock. They’re far better than any Melton Mowbray pie.
I once made a couple of pork pies at home. It was quite astonishing to see the amount of lard which is absorbed into the pastry. They’re without doubt one of the most unhealthy things you can eat. But…given that - why do they taste so nice?! Everything in moderation I suppose.
I think it’s the right thing to do to protect regional food, though last time I looked Melton Mowbray was nowhere near Nottingham. Mind you, how much Cheddar cheese is made in Cheddar? Or how much Stilton is made in Stilton (it never was, and oddly, came from Melton Mowbray!).
Even the French have had a go at a pork pie equivalent - they use different cuts of meat and call it ‘Pate en Croute’ - it’s not bad, but a bit expensive.
Andy H, how nice to hear about local butchers who make their own… I’ll be sure to go and try one !!! (If my arteries can take it)
what next - McDonalds only in Scotland - we can but dream!
uuurgh evil red meat will kill u
why can we not market the market drayton pie, it might catch on
Yuck, how could anyone think about eating them and why is the jelly that I can see slithering down peoples throats at finger buffett’s in the pie anyway? I agree with you green guru!
can’t beat a good eley’s
Lovely pork pies full of MEAT and JELLY wow!
more madness from the ec, god save britannia
Best pork pies are from Reg May in Dotton Priors.
If only ONE of your hundreds of Pork Pie butchers would set up shop in “The Valley”-Brisbane, near the Elephant & Wheelbarrow, I would be delighted, so would be the pub and its Backpackers, to say nothing of the public. There’s nothing like it here.