This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-60523966
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| PGI status: Could Welsh leeks become the new Cornish pasty? | PGI status: Could Welsh leeks become the new Cornish pasty? |
| (1 day later) | |
| This video can not be played | This video can not be played |
| To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. | To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. |
| They could join the Cornish pasty as a food given legal protection against imitation and misuse | They could join the Cornish pasty as a food given legal protection against imitation and misuse |
| Cheddar cheese, the Cornish pasty, Gower salt marsh lamb, Anglesey sea salt and now... Welsh leeks? | Cheddar cheese, the Cornish pasty, Gower salt marsh lamb, Anglesey sea salt and now... Welsh leeks? |
| Leeks grown in Wales could be given Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status and international recognition if an application is successful. | Leeks grown in Wales could be given Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status and international recognition if an application is successful. |
| The vegetable has been synonymous with Wales and formed part of its culture going back at least 1,000 years, according to food historian Carwyn Graves. | The vegetable has been synonymous with Wales and formed part of its culture going back at least 1,000 years, according to food historian Carwyn Graves. |
| Mr Graves said the ability to grow leeks in Wales' milder climate all year round had historically helped prevent malnutrition. | Mr Graves said the ability to grow leeks in Wales' milder climate all year round had historically helped prevent malnutrition. |
| Farmer John Addams-Williams said the national vegetable and emblem was unique and needed "to be protected". | Farmer John Addams-Williams said the national vegetable and emblem was unique and needed "to be protected". |
| What is PGI status? | What is PGI status? |
| One of the UK's most recognisable foods, the Cornish pasty was awarded protected status in 2011 | One of the UK's most recognisable foods, the Cornish pasty was awarded protected status in 2011 |
| In the UK, PGI status is awarded by the UK government to protect and promote named regional food products that have a reputation or noted characteristics specific to that area. | In the UK, PGI status is awarded by the UK government to protect and promote named regional food products that have a reputation or noted characteristics specific to that area. |
| There are worldwide schemes to obtain PGI status, which must comply with strict World Trade Organization rules. | There are worldwide schemes to obtain PGI status, which must comply with strict World Trade Organization rules. |
| Should St David's Day be a national bank holiday? | Should St David's Day be a national bank holiday? |
| Camilla 'knights farmer' with leek | Camilla 'knights farmer' with leek |
| Salt marsh lamb receives protected status | Salt marsh lamb receives protected status |
| There are currently 18 Welsh items on the UK Geographical Indication (GI) list, which includes the prestigious PGI designation. | There are currently 18 Welsh items on the UK Geographical Indication (GI) list, which includes the prestigious PGI designation. |
| If accepted, it will mean only Welsh leeks will be able to be sold with the UK PGI logo, guaranteeing the leeks were grown in Wales. | If accepted, it will mean only Welsh leeks will be able to be sold with the UK PGI logo, guaranteeing the leeks were grown in Wales. |
| Grown slow, taste strong | Grown slow, taste strong |
| Farmer John Addams-Williams says Welsh leeks are unique in flavour and appearance | Farmer John Addams-Williams says Welsh leeks are unique in flavour and appearance |
| Mr Addams-Williams, who works at Puffin Produce in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, which applied for the new status, said it would represent "a huge opportunity" for the agricultural sector in Wales. | Mr Addams-Williams, who works at Puffin Produce in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, which applied for the new status, said it would represent "a huge opportunity" for the agricultural sector in Wales. |
| "Our leeks are different to those sold elsewhere - we need to support Welsh industry," he said. | "Our leeks are different to those sold elsewhere - we need to support Welsh industry," he said. |
| Many leeks sold in Wales are grown elsewhere, but Mr Addams-Williams said Welsh leeks were grown slower, have a stronger flavour and a "vibrant flag" used in national dishes such as Welsh cawl. | Many leeks sold in Wales are grown elsewhere, but Mr Addams-Williams said Welsh leeks were grown slower, have a stronger flavour and a "vibrant flag" used in national dishes such as Welsh cawl. |
| "The more things we have for our national identity - whether that be a daffodil or a leek - is very important and we need to protect the status. It is all part of our culture and history and the more we do the better it can be." | "The more things we have for our national identity - whether that be a daffodil or a leek - is very important and we need to protect the status. It is all part of our culture and history and the more we do the better it can be." |
| Why are leeks so important in Wales? | Why are leeks so important in Wales? |
| Food historian Carwyn Graves says leeks have always been a symbol for Welsh people | Food historian Carwyn Graves says leeks have always been a symbol for Welsh people |
| Food historian Carwyn Graves said: "Leeks go back a lot longer than people would expect. | Food historian Carwyn Graves said: "Leeks go back a lot longer than people would expect. |
| "Many countries have got plants symbolising them and some of those date back a few hundred years, but the Welsh leek may date back to the very first origins of Welsh nationhood." | "Many countries have got plants symbolising them and some of those date back a few hundred years, but the Welsh leek may date back to the very first origins of Welsh nationhood." |
| He said there were tales of leeks being used by Welsh soldiers as a distinguishing marker during the Saxon era (410-1066AD), and of battles in leek fields. | He said there were tales of leeks being used by Welsh soldiers as a distinguishing marker during the Saxon era (410-1066AD), and of battles in leek fields. |
| While there is not enough evidence to prove these narratives beyond doubt, Mr Graves said "people were referring to leeks by the early Middle Ages as a kind of marker of the Welsh, so the mythology has been around for at least 1,000 years". | While there is not enough evidence to prove these narratives beyond doubt, Mr Graves said "people were referring to leeks by the early Middle Ages as a kind of marker of the Welsh, so the mythology has been around for at least 1,000 years". |
| Queen presents St David's Day leeks | Queen presents St David's Day leeks |
| A toast to Welsh whisky? Maybe by next Christmas | A toast to Welsh whisky? Maybe by next Christmas |
| Welsh cheese awarded protected status | Welsh cheese awarded protected status |
| He said leeks had also been used to symbolise Welsh people in the arts. | He said leeks had also been used to symbolise Welsh people in the arts. |
| Shakespeare's Henry V, written in about 1599, speaks of Welsh men wearing leeks in their caps, while an anonymous ballad from a similar time speaks of the vegetable being worn on St David's Day. | Shakespeare's Henry V, written in about 1599, speaks of Welsh men wearing leeks in their caps, while an anonymous ballad from a similar time speaks of the vegetable being worn on St David's Day. |
| Unlike other nations' symbols, such as tulips in the Netherlands, Mr Graves said the leek was actually useful to Welsh communities. | Unlike other nations' symbols, such as tulips in the Netherlands, Mr Graves said the leek was actually useful to Welsh communities. |
| He said they were "probably one of the main things that kept the Welsh from scurvy" as they grew all year round in Wales' milder climate. | He said they were "probably one of the main things that kept the Welsh from scurvy" as they grew all year round in Wales' milder climate. |
| "The leek is a great vegetable, really versatile and tasty, and one of the shortcomings we have in Wales is we don't grow enough veg and fruit here," he added. | "The leek is a great vegetable, really versatile and tasty, and one of the shortcomings we have in Wales is we don't grow enough veg and fruit here," he added. |
| "If more leeks were grown here it would only be a good thing." | "If more leeks were grown here it would only be a good thing." |
| Giving PGI status to Welsh leeks would have a knock-on effect for other Welsh produce, a farming union says | Giving PGI status to Welsh leeks would have a knock-on effect for other Welsh produce, a farming union says |
| Glyn Roberts, who is president of the Farmers Union of Wales, said PGI status would further increase awareness of Welsh produce. | Glyn Roberts, who is president of the Farmers Union of Wales, said PGI status would further increase awareness of Welsh produce. |
| "PGI status is more important now than it has been because we are in a global market and the food we produce in Wales is second to none," he added. | "PGI status is more important now than it has been because we are in a global market and the food we produce in Wales is second to none," he added. |
| PEOPLE THOUGHT OF AS BITS OF AN ALGORITHM: Life and death in the warehouse | |
| LOVE LETTER TO WRESTLING: The best there is, the best there was, the best there ever will be |