Shropshire Star

Cheese firms in for a slice of EU funding

County producers of Shropshire Blue cheese could be eligible for an EU cash windfall to help them export their product all over the world, an MEP claimed today.

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Shropshire Euro MEP Phil Bennion said colleagues had voted in Brussels to allocate more cash towards promoting speciality foods and agricultural products made in their local areas.

It will see a major increase in the cash pot available, from £51 million across the EU this year to £165 million in 2020.

The money will be used to promote selected products on the European market as well as further afield in the fast-growing economies of China and South Korea.

For years Shropshire Blue was something of an anomaly because although it was named after the county, it was not made here. Shropshire Blue is actually a Scottish attempt to replicate Stilton, according to the British Cheese Board.

But its popularity in recent years has seen a number of county producers making their own varieties.

These include the Ludlow Food Centre, Belton Farm in Whitchurch and the Shropshire Cheese Company at Abertanat Farm, near Oswestry.

All could be in line to benefit from the EU funding, said Mr Bennion, adding: "Shropshire Blue cheese is not currently registered but it is a fabulous and distinctive cheese, especially the artisan-made examples you can get in specialist food stores.

"Other varieties such as Wrekin White could also be included.

"This is a good example of how the EU can provide practical help to small businesses."

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