'DEFRA DECISION WILL NOT PUT LID ON S.O.S CAMPAIGN' - MEP

2.13.44pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 8th Aug 2006

WEST Midlands Euro-MP Liz Lynne has vowed to keep up the pressure on Heinz after Defra rejected the MEP's proposal to grant HP Sauce protected status and halt plans to move production away from its traditional Birmingham home.

The Lib Dem MEP said: "Defra's decision is so frustrating and disappointing, especially as HP Sauce has such a strong historical link with the Midlands. But I will carry on looking for ways to support the Save Our Sauce (S.O.S) campaign.

"As Birmingham's Lib Dem European representative I am very concerned about the potential local job losses and will carry on trying to convince Heinz to rethink its decision to move HP Sauce from this area."

At the moment, it is planned that production will move from the Aston Cross plant to Heinz's main European plant in Holland next year - costing 125 jobs.

And in an effort to stop the move Liz wrote to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) asking whether the traditional spicy sauce could be registered under the EU's Protected Food Names Scheme.

She has now been informed that the sauce does not qualify for any category that would prevent it being produced outside of the West Midlands.

Ends

Editor's Notes

1) Liz applied to Defra to grant HP Sauce Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status which would have restricted production to the area. Defra replied that under existing legislation the only designation for which HP Sauce would be eligible is Traditional Speciality Guaranteed (TSG) status and this would not restrict the geographical area in which it could be made.