Cromer crab is unlikely to be joining Champagne and the Cornish pasty as a protected European food after Norfolk fishermen and processors opted not to make an application.
An overwhelming majority of 88% voted against making an application through the EU protected food name scheme following a round of consultations carried out in North Norfolk over the summer.
It would be too difficult to define the precise location in which the crabs had to be caught to bear the name Cromer Crab, said John Lee, acting chair of the Fisheries Local Action Group. “There was also concern about the costs associated with the monitoring and verification of any such protected food name status.”
Defra – which has been pushing for more British producers to apply for the status – said it was disappointed with the decision.
“ADAS [an environmental consultancy] spent time and effort meeting the producers to explain the benefits of the scheme and how to apply, and if they ever reconsidered we would be ready to assist them further.”
ADAS was previously in charge of administering the application process for protected food names before administration moved in-house earlier this month.
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