Date Created: 11 November 2011
Organic "Native Shetland Wool" has become the UK's first non food and drink and product to win Protected Designation Origin (PDO) accreditation from the EU.
PDO status puts "Native Shetland Wool" alongside products such as Shetland Lamb, Cornish Clotted Cream and Blue Stilton Cheese.
Consumers will now enjoy the utmost guarantee that they are buying genuine "Native Shetland Wool" products while the product itself will enjoy legal protection.
The award of PDO status follows a lengthy application process spearheaded by ShetlandOrganics, a Community Interest Company comprised of crofters and farmers.
The announcment comes as wool prices have achieved a 25 year high in the face of surging demand.
Richard Lochhead, Scotland's Rural Affairs Secretary, said:
"Scotland is home to some of the most popular protected food name products in Europe - including Scotch Beef and Scottish Farmed Salmon - and I'm delighted that Native Shetland Wool joins this exclusive club, as the first non food product Scotland. The prestige of this PDO proves there is further opportunity for farmers through animal by-products to carve out a prestigious, desirable commodity as well food and drink.
"The high quality of Scottish sheep fleece together with extensive world-wide promotion of wool has seen demand soar. Consumers are moving away from synthetic offerings and demanding the genuine article - be it clothing or furnishings. Therefore, protecting our valuable natural resources is absolutely crucial."
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