Welsh gin first in UK to get protected status

A gin made in Wales is the first in the UK to be given protected status.

Dovey Native Botanical Gin, produced by Dyfi Distillery at Corris, Gwynedd was granted geographical indication status (UKGI).

Pembrokeshire Native Oysters and Pembrokeshire Rock Oysters, as well Welsh Heather Honey, have also received protected status.

UKGI was set up to ensure certain UK foods and drinks could secure legal protection against imitation after the UK's withdrawal from the EU which runs its own scheme.

Pete and Danny Cameron produce Dovey Native Botanical Gin in the Dyfi Valley where theirs is currently the only distillery.

"The valley was designated by UNESCO as a World Biosphere Reserve several years ago and has a diversity of native flowers, fruits and wild herbs which is truly special... and we wanted to capture our surroundings in a bottle," said master distiller Pete.

Dr Andy Woolmer of Tethys Oysters Ltd and Jake Davies of Atlantic Edge Shellfish Ltd are the partnership behind Pembrokeshire Native Oysters and Pembrokeshire Rock Oysters.

Dr Andy Woolmer said they were delighted with the news.

"It's a recognition of both the unique flavour of our oysters and the sustainable way in which we farm them," he said.

"PGI helps protect that identity, and we hope it encourages more chefs and food lovers to discover what makes Pembrokeshire oysters so special."

Gruffydd Rees of Gwenyn Gruffydd Ltd, behind Welsh Heather Honey, in Carmarthenshire said he was delighted that Wales was the first UK nation to have a honey receive PGI status.

Huw Irranca-Davies, Wales' Deputy First Minister, who also has responsibility for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, said the recognition "strengthens Wales' growing family of protected foods"

"From the mountains to the coast, Wales produces some of the UK's most iconic foods, cultivated with care and tradition.

"Each GI product tells the story of our landscape, our producers' expertise and our proud culinary heritage," he said.