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Monday 27 June 2016 9:22 am

Brexit: These are the foods, drinks and other products that could lose their protected name status

By: Francesca Washtell

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Sterling has already suffered, housing stocks are down and bank shares have taken a toll since the UK voted for Brexit in last Thursday's referendum. 

But in our day-to-day lives it's the foodstuffs, drinks and wool that we proudly identify as British that could now lose their protected status, which means only products made in a specific geographic area can carry the name associated with them. 

There are three schemes of geographical protections, including "protected designation of origin", "protected geographical indication" and "traditional specialties guaranteed". 

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When the UK leaves, these product names could be used by any producer – inside or outside the UK – without needing to be associated with the area it has traditionally originated in.

Scotch whisky

The name – and possibly reputation – of the iconic Old Fashioned will be under threat as a result of Brexit. The Scotch Whisky Association has said the vote will also "inevitably generate significant uncertainty" for the industry and its trade. 

Drinks giants Pernod Ricard and Diageo stated their support for the Remain campaign in the run-up to the referendum. The majority of Diageo's 4,800 employees in the UK are based at its Scottish distilleries. 

Read more: Leaked email used to try and scotch claims Brexit would be bad for whisky

Other drinks with protected status include Kentish ale, Rutland bitter and English wine.

Scottish wild salmon, Grimsby smoked fish, Whitstable oysters

Alongside Cornish sardines, Abroath smokies and Isle of Man queenies, all of these fish and shellfish are all similarly under threat.

Read more: European Union clarifies how Brexit will actually work

Cornish pasties

Everyone's favourite meal-in-one, originally created for Cornish miners, will be another Brexit food casualty. In mid-June the Cornish Pasty Association said in a statement it had fought hard to gain protected status for pasties and didn't want other baked goods makers to be able to use the name. 

Cumberland sausages

As well as West country lamb and beef, the names of these meat and processed meat products could be applied to any old butcher's goods. 

Read more: Lamb to the slaughter: Government warns Brexit is a baaad idea for UK sheep

Stilton, Yorkshire Wensleydale, Single Gloucester and Dorset blue cheese

We know you may need to sit down for this one: Lots of English cheeses could lose out now the UK has voted to leave the EU. 

Writing in the Gloucester Citizen in April, David Cameron warned readers Gloucester cheese could be under threat. He chose his audience strategically as Gloucestershire, we should all remember, is home to the UK's largest cheese "rolling and wake event". 

Stilton is produced exclusively in the counties of Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire and Derbyshire from local milk.

Native Shetland wool

Finally, a non-edible, proudly British product that could find its name hijacked by other manufacturers.

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