Gower lamb given special legal protection after Brexit, but what does this mean?

• ITV Wales National Correspondent Rob Osborne finds out why Gower Salt Marsh Lamb is so 'special'.

Gower Salt Marsh lamb is the first new product in Wales to be awarded special legal protection following the UK's departure from the European Union.

It has been given UK Geographical Indication (UK GI) status, meaning it has protection against 'imitation and misuse'.

The lamb joins 16 other protected food and drink products from Wales, including Anglesey Sea Salt, Welsh Lamb, Welsh Beef and Pembrokeshire Early potatoes.

Other well-known examples of protected foods are Cornish pasties, Stilton cheese and Champagne.

The UK GI scheme was established at the beginning of 2021, following the UK’s withdrawal from the EU.

From today (Wednesday 11 August), only legitimate Gower Salt Marsh lamb can be sold with the UK GI logo, guaranteeing its produce comes from lambs that were born and reared on the North Gower coastline in Wales.

• Analysis by ITV Wales' political editor Adrian Masters

Although supporters and producers of Gower Salt Marsh lamb are celebrating today’s news, there are still some hurdles for them as they seek international recognition for the product.

The first thing to note is that, because this protected status is the first in the UK since the UK left the European Union, it only applies within the UK.

In fact, it doesn't yet apply in all of the UK - Northern Ireland is exempt from this scheme for the moment because of the terms of the UK-EU Withdrawal Agreement.

The idea behind giving protected status to certain products based on where and how they are produced is to promote and protect the unique characteristics of those products.

So the names Welsh lamb and beef, Anglesey sea salt, Pembrokeshire early potatoes, West Wales coracle-caught salmon and Welsh wine can only be used by producers in or using produce from those areas.

Across the UK, Scotch whisky, Cornish pasties and Stilton cheese are among the well-known names with the same protection.

These were all registered before December 2020 and so continue to be recognised in other EU countries, just as here in the UK EU products like Parma ham and Gorgonzola cheese are recognised.

The next step for producers of Gower Salt Marsh lamb, then, will be to get the status recognised by the European Union.

It isn't automatic but it is something which is allowed for in the Agreement and so is thought to be highly likely.

For protected status to apply outside the EU, the British scheme would need to be recognised by other countries which means that it will become part of negotiations in trade deals such as the one being negotiated with Australia.

However, even a well-established product with world-accepted status, such as champagne - which is protected in 120 countries - isn’t invulnerable to international politics.

Last month, Russia introduced a law requiring French makers of champagne to attach a “sparkling wine” label to bottles sold in Russia, while domestic producers don’t have to do the same with their bottles of “shampanskoye.”

Shares in a leading Russian winemaker rocketed after the law was introduced, while French Champagne producers are threatening to seek redress via the World Trade Organisation.

Dan and Will Pritchard run the Gower Salt Marsh lamb family farm on the picturesque Gower Peninsula.

Dan said: “We are so pleased that Gower Salt Marsh lamb has got UK GI PDO status.

"We’re exceptionally proud of what we produce and it is fantastic that it is being recognised and celebrated."

“Today’s announcement will help to protect the reputation of our regional product, promote traditional agricultural practices and eliminate non-genuine products. It’s a great day for Wales and Welsh produce."

The UK Government is responsible for ensuring cultural products are given protection following the UK’s departure from the European Union.

However, Northern Ireland is currently exempt from this scheme because of the terms of the UK-EU Withdrawal Agreement.

Secretary of State for Wales Simon Hart said: “Wales boasts an outstanding selection of food and drink including cheese, seafood and beer which are all flying the flag for Welsh culinary excellence around the world.“It’s fantastic to see Gower Salt Marsh lamb added to the list of iconic products from Wales, becoming the first recognised product under the UK’s new and independent schemes. “Guaranteeing the authenticity of Welsh food and drink helps cement our reputation for quality both at home and in new international markets.”

Meanwhile, Welsh Government rural affairs minister Lesley Griffiths said she is "confident Gower Salt Marsh lamb’s success will encourage other new applications for GI status, from all food and drink categories in Wales".