Protected Designation of Origin Information

The term PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) covers the term used to describe foodstuffs which are produced, processed and prepared in a given geographical area using recognised know-how.

We have applied for PDO status for ‘Yorkshire Wensleydale’. Only cheese made in the designated ‘Wensleydale’ area (as defined in the application), using raw materials from the designated area i.e. Wensleydale milk, to a time-honoured traditional recipe.

Our bid to protect Real Yorkshire Wensleydale cheese has moved into a significant new phase including a call to action for our supporters to add their voice to the campaign.

We have set up this special website page to allow you to register your support for the PDO application and place your comments on our website.

The PDO system aims to promote and protect food products in the EU and is used to describe foods that are produced, processed and prepared in a given geographical area using traditional methods.

If the bid is successful it will mean that you will know you are eating the real thing - a hand-crafted Wensleydale cheese, made to a time-honoured recipe, using milk from local farms.

Real Yorkshire Wensleydale is the only Wensleydale actually made in Wensleydale.

The Wensleydale Creamery will continue to brand its cheese ‘Real Yorkshire Wensleydale’.

Date	Detail/Activity
4th Oct 2007	Application approved from UK perspective & submitted to Commission in Brussels
4th Oct 2007 – Dec 2008	Processing of application by the Commission
22nd May 2009	Comments / Response to Commissions questions submitted to the Commission.
27th Aug 2009	Received response from Defra / Commission – require further clarification on a couple of aspects of the application
Sept 2009	Comments / response to Commission
Oct / Nov 2009	Awaiting confirmation from Commission that application is OK to be published for the EU Consultation Period.
Dec 2009 – May 2010	EU Consultation Period: The Commission will publish the application in the ‘Official Journals’ for 6 months for relevant parties with the EU to comment
May 2010 – Aug 2010	Any comments will need to be dealt with
Sept / Oct 2010	PDO Status Awarded

A separate PDO application for Blue Yorkshire Wensleydale is currently being prepared.

Click here to add your own comment

Recent Comments:

It has to be made in Wensleydale to be called Wensleydale. It is more than just a production process.

By John Paul Toher in London on 22nd Apr 2010

I was doing a report on the cuisine of my ancestors, and run across this wonderful cheese in my research. After examining the history of your creamery I want to say that I fully support your actions and hope you can achieve your final goals. Good Luck to all of you and keep Wensleydale from Wensleydale.

By D.J. Robinson in Reese, MI United States of America on 19th Apr 2010

Several shops carry the lovely stuff here. What treats for us to have a bit of Yorkshire here! Keep it real y'all.

By Caroline Wright in Houston, Texas USA on 20th Mar 2010

If France can have designated regions of control for wine by all means support Wenslydale Cheese request. Brussells DO THE RIGHT THING!

By Diana Aitchison in USA St. louis Mo on 17th Mar 2010

It's called Wendsleydale, so it should come from Wendsleydale!

By Mark Turner in York on 17th Mar 2010

To be known as 'Wensleydale' cheese should be produced in its traditional home - anything else is imitation.

By J Callender in Ripon on 13th Mar 2010

Having been born and brought up in Hawes and worked at the dairy when it was Wensleydale Dairy Products, I feel Wensleydale cheese should be awarded PDO status, to maintain the long history of Wensleydale cheese.

By Linda Knight in United Kingdom on 12th Mar 2010

Forover twenty years we have bought Cheese made at the Hawes Creamery, and do agree that they are indeed the real thing. Others who take the name are a very poor imitation

By A.G.Hudson in Harrogate on 12th Mar 2010

It's like the Italian Parmiggiano Reggiano of the UK! Good luck!

By S. Mense in The Netherlands on 11th Mar 2010

Wensleydale cheese is unique, there isn't another cheese like it and none come close. The taste and texture are wonderful, it must be kept for Yorkshire!

By Judith Kay in Brighouse Yorkshire on 10th Mar 2010

If only l could get it here, this is the one and only real wensleydale

By Nichola Wright in St Antonin France on 9th Mar 2010

Parmesan from only Italy, Parma Ham from only Italy, Champagne only from France. Wensleydale Cheese from only Wesleydale. Enough said!

By Bev Gilson in Cambridgeshire on 8th Mar 2010

Wensleydale cheese is an integral part of the food culture of Yorkshire as much so as any Parma Ham or Parmesan to Italy.

By jo sterritt in North Yorkshire on 8th Mar 2010

True Wensleydale from Wensleydale, Yorkshire.

By Kieran Samways in Brompton on Swale, North Yorkshire. on 7th Mar 2010

We love to spend some time in the cheese shop at Hawes. Wensleydale is a great cheese and deserves its exclusivity.
Good Luck.

By Michael Watson in Snaith, East Yorkshire on 7th Mar 2010

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