Protected status bid for Orkney crab brand

Orkney crab is the latest product from the county to apply for protected food name status.

The Orkney Fishermen’s Society is one of the foremost processors of brown crab in the UK and their application will now be subject to a national consultation, in line with the rules of the protected food name scheme – introduced in 1994 to protect food names on the basis of geographical or traditional recipes.

If the bid is successful, Orkney crab will join Orkney lamb, Orkney beef and Orkney cheese in having European protection.

Stewart Crichton, of Orkney Fisherman’s Society, said “We’ve worked very hard for a number of years to build the reputation of Orkney crab, starting from our fishermen and the care and pride they take in their job, to our processing factories and our customers.

“Protecting the integrity of that brand is the next logical step in the process and one we’re delighted to be embarking on.”