A Ukip politician has just realised that Brexit may come with some negative consequences.
Nope, it isn’t the undermining of post-war cooperation, the threat of recession or the loss of free phone data on holiday.
Rather, Roger Helmer is concerned for our whiskey and Cornish pasties.
The former MEP tweeted yesterday: ‘I am profoundly supportive of the transatlantic alliance and of a future US/UK trade deal.
‘But American “Scotch” Whisky and American “Cornish” pasties are a step too far. They would amount to deliberate misrepresentation.’
I am profoundly supportive of the transatlantic alliance and of a future US/UK trade deal. But American “Scotch” Whisky and American “Cornish” pasties are a step too far. They would amount to deliberate misrepresentation.
— Roger Helmer (@RogerHelmerMEP) March 5, 2018
Oh, Roger.
It’s like he just realised Donald ‘America First’ Trump isn’t inclined to give us a bespoke trade deal centred on Beatrix Potter and HP Sauce.
Brexiteers, we’re sorry to tell you but all kinds of protected British foods are under threat if we want a trade deal across the pond.
Are you willing to sacrifice Melton Mowbray pork pies, Cumberland sausages and Stornoway black pudding?
"MmmMM there's nothing I like more after a long day in the brexit mines than a traditional American-made Cornish pasty, Texas Style. Boy howdy them's good eatin.
Hi, I'm Roger Helmer and though I'm still too dumb to know it, this is exactly what I byun did voted for." pic.twitter.com/XExEmdx2hN
— James Felton (@JimMFelton) March 6, 2018
If only there were some supranational alliance where we could protect our unique products a union of sorts, for a market which shared common values… What would we call that Roger?
— Thunderous Wanderer (@ChrisSiddall74) March 6, 2018
"People knew what they were voting for".
You need to get behind it and stop being such a bremoaner. Think of the opportunities to eat imported US Cornish pasties stuffed with hormone-reared beef. Or supping US Whisky from those GM crops that are banned in Scotland.#fbpe
— Kristian #FBPE
(@LoveEUToo) March 6, 2018
The US are reportedly lobbying hard to allow supermarkets to import their own cheap copies of much-loved traditional British creations once the UK leaves the European Union.
Under current EU law, certain products – that also include Scotch whisky – have protected geographical status and cannot be made anywhere else.
Protected statuses, known as Geographical Indications (GIs, or PDOs), have been granted by the EU to thousands of food and drink products across EU nations.
The US has long opposed such regulations, arguing that they prevent US food and drink makers selling their own products into EU nations – and are lobbying for the UK to change its rules as part of a post-Brexit trade deal with the US.
So if we get a US trade deal, Cornish pasties could carry a ‘Made in America’ tag.
The 'chlorinated' chickens are coming home to roost (roast?) @RogerHelmerMEP ! Along with the 'we told you so's'.
— #FBPE #WeAreEurope (@TiltMyHat) March 6, 2018
This has prompted an angry backlash from defenders of the British food institutions and fears that important heritage could be eroded.
The Cornish Pasty Association’s said it had ‘lobbied for the current protection of food names to continue after Brexit and is of the view that a domestic regulation that mirrors the EU scheme is the best solution.’
One of the arguments for dropping geographical protections is that copies could be cheaper, without necessarily lowering standards.
A spokesman for the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said: ‘Leaving the EU gives us a golden opportunity to secure ambitious free-trade deals while supporting farmers and producers to grow and sell more great British food.
‘We will ensure consumers continue to have a range of high-quality food products.’
MORE: Theresa May speech outlines desire for trade agreement with EU after Brexit
MORE: MPs’ pay to rise to £77,379 from next month
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