Yorkshire Forced Rhubarb has finally gained European Protected Food Name (PFN) status after a five-year wait.
The rhubarb, grown by candlelight, has proven popular with consumers and tourists alike and is grown at farms in the ‘Rhubarb Triangle’ between Leeds, Wakefield and Bradford.
It becomes the 41st British product to be added to the list and follows a call from DEFRA secretary Hilary Benn in December for people to join the PFN scheme to get Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status.
Janet Oldroyd Hulme of the Yorkshire Rhubarb Growers' Association told the BBC: "To the 12 growers left in the Rhubarb Triangle, a future is now certain.
"To the hundreds of farmers long since gone this is, in part, recognition of their hard work, dedication and steadfast belief in their product that has kept this industry alive since the early 1950s."
Benn added: "Yorkshire Forced Rhubarb has been recognised thanks to the quality of this traditionally grown product and the enthusiasm and commitment shown by all involved.
"I want to see even more of the best of British produce being protected."
Under the legislation, Yorkshire Forced Rhubarb will be given legal protection on its geographical recipe, highlighted to the consumer with an on-product logo.
Regional Food Group for Yorkshire and Humber chief executive Jonathan Knight said: “This is a great achievement for the region. Patience, persistence, meetings with the twelve key growers and a lot of effort on all parts has culminated in this fantastic result, which will help to confirm the unique Yorkshire Rhubarb Triangle as the home of Forced Rhubarb.
“We will continue to work with producers on submitting products to the PFN scheme, helping to put Yorkshire’s mark on the national and European food map.
“There were once 200 Yorkshire Forced Rhubarb growers and now there are 11. Achieving this status will help to avoid imitation of the product, safeguarding rhubarb production in the area and hopefully encouraging consumers to buy more locally produced rhubarb.”
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