HAMPSHIRE has missed out on new European food name protection. The European Commission has so far awarded 62 British products with the European protected status, most recently West Country meat and Anglesey Sea Salt on January 15.

European protected status can be allocated to locally produced foods to raise their profile, and prevent imposters from exploiting local delicacies. However, with no new protections for foods from Hampshire, South East MEP Anneliese Dodds has called for recognition for local produce.

She said: “Hampshire has a range of locally farmed foods including trout, meat and cider. In Winchester watercress, chocolate, real ale, chutney and jam are also produced. This would give some of Hampshire’s excellent foods the recognition they deserve as internationally high quality and unique to this country.”