Fans of the traditional Cornish pasty are being encouraged to join the Cornish Pasty Association’s (CPA) Facebook group in a bid to protect the product’s original recipe.
The CPA is currently running a campaign for securing Protecting Geographical Indication (PGI) status for the Cornish pasty, so that only pasty makers that make the product in Cornwall in a traditional manner and to a traditional recipe, use the term ‘Cornish Pasty’ in the branding and marketing of their products.
Angie Coombs, of the CPA Committee said: “We want as many people as possible to join the Cornish Pasty Association’s group on Facebook and show that we are determined to protect our traditional product. More and more consumers are choosing to buy pasties, but we want to make sure they get a guaranteed level of quality and securing PGI status is essential in achieving this.
“With the Internet becoming an increasingly important part of our daily lives, the new Facebook group should help us reach a new generation of fans of the traditional Cornish pasty. Entering the digital age is essential in making sure the genuine product is protected for years to come.”
The CPA exists to protect the quality and the reputation of the Cornish pasty and to stop consumers being misled by pasty makers who trade off the value of the name without producing a genuine product. It hopes to shortly secure backing from DEFRA before taking the application to the European Commission for final approval.
Since launching its new website (www.thecornishpastyassociation.co.uk), pasty fans from around the globe have pledged to support the campaign. The committee has had emails from people from places as far as America and New Zealand.
ENDS
Issue date: 13 February 2008
More information about the CPA, its members and the history of the Cornish Pasty is available at www.thecornishpastyassociation.co.uk
For further information contact:
Laura Medel / Lisa Taylor
Geometry PR
0117 929 1900
[email protected] / [email protected]