Oral Answers to Questions — Environment, Food and Rural Affairs – in the House of Commons at 10:30 am on 15 December 2005.
Bob Russell
Opposition Whip (Commons), Shadow Minister (Defence)
10:30,
15 December 2005
When she expects an announcement to be made on the application to give protected geographical indication status to the Colchester oyster.
Jim Knight
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Rural Affairs, Landscape and Biodiversity), Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) (Rural Affairs, Landscape and Biodiversity)
It is difficult to predict when a final decision on the application to give protected geographical indication status to the Colchester oyster will be made. The application is at an early stage and there are several more steps to go through before the European Commission can take a decision on the application.
Bob Russell
Opposition Whip (Commons), Shadow Minister (Defence)
I am grateful to the Minister for the progress that is being made and urge him to keep the pressure on. He will be aware that oysters from Colchester were shipped to the eateries of Rome a good 2,000 years before the treaty of Rome.
Jim Knight
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Rural Affairs, Landscape and Biodiversity), Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) (Rural Affairs, Landscape and Biodiversity)
I am certainly aware of the excellence of the Colchester oyster. I am sure that the whole House will celebrate Christmas with top-quality British food, of which Colchester oysters are a fine example. I am sure that the hon. Gentleman's great strength in advocating his constituency is informed by his consumption of Colchester oysters.
