Should food produced in the Lincolnshire Fens be labelled?

Should food from the Fens be clearly labelled to boost pride and hammer home our importance to shoppers?

The fertile soils around South Holland and Boston are well-known for producing up to 30% of the nation’s food without this ever being recognised or rewarded - but a new suggestion has been put forward to change this perception.

The idea of getting a special regional food designation for the Fens around Lincolnshire and Cambridgeshire is an idea put forward in the Fen Power report which was written by Dr Dan Taylor, of the Open University.

This report looks at how to ‘reverse managed decline and transform English regions’ and puts forward suggestions to make the fens a multi-unitary authority along with developing two light railway lines, and getting the Government to commit to a minimum infrastructure spend to tackle social issues.

Geographical Indication status, which are granted by the Department for Food, Environment and Rural Affairs, aim to protect specific products and boost growth for local economies.

Prof Simon Pearson, who now oversees the National Centre for Food Manufacturing at the South Lincolnshire Food Enterprise Zone at Holbeach, feels it would be a good way to promote the area’s importance - and that food should no longer be taken for granted.

He said: “I love the fact that there is a focus on the fens which I think we have been forgotten in general discourse and it is a very important area for UK food production.

“I personally feel we maybe have not had the focus that we have needed with more innovation and investment. It is great to see championing of food production as we need to be thinking more about food security and getting the most out of the fens as we possibly can.

“I think the idea of some sort of designation would be great.

“I think it would be really positive to get recognition for the amazing food which is produced in the fens.

“We all take food for granted and I would hope that if awareness is raised that consumers would think a bit more about the choices they make.

“If it is grown in the UK, the food is of a high standard and quality and should be really superb and fresh. I think if we can get all that in people’s minds it will help - and not just for consumers but for retailers, people in supply chains and across society.

“The fens agricultural system is really special and incredibly productive - 30% of the UK’s vegetables comes out of the region. The more we raise awareness and recognise that as a primary food producing area and that has got to be a good thing. Let’s get the message out there.”

Trade deals struck in the aftermath of Brexit has allowed food to be imported from countries such as Australia, which does not follow the same high welfare standards as we follow in this country.

MP Sir John Hayes, who has tried in the past to get special status for the Lincolnshire Sausage, was supportive of the idea of granting a specialist food designation to the fens.

He said: “That sounds like a great idea considering we produce a lot of the national food stuff which is recognised locally but I’m not sure it is recognised nationally.

“Local produce, as produce of the fens, would commit to the public imagination the significance of our productive agricultural and horticultural status.

“I would be happy to push for it and happy to do that. I will write to the government.”

For products to receive the protected status, an application must be submitted to DEFRA.

A statement from the department said: “DEFRA would be happy to discuss the potential for additional products from the Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire fens to receive protection.”