A YORKSHIRE businesswoman is threatening to defy a “ludicrous” ban and keep churning out the cheese.

A European Union judge has ruled that only cheese made in certain areas of Greece should be allowed to use the name feta.

But Judy Bell, founder of Thirsk-based Shepherd’s Purse Cheese, said the ruling would hit her company hard.

She said: “I am feeling a little bit rebellious, and, after taking some advice, really don’t know whether DEFRA (Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) could prosecute me.

Decision

“It is a ludicrous ban and I may well put them to the test.”

Ms Bell, whose company sells Yorkshire feta across Britain, said she now faced a waiting game to see if the EU Commission would enforce the judge’s ruling. A decision was expected in the autumn.

She said: “If it was enforced and we complied with it, we would have to go through a massive remerchandising process and reorganisation.

“We have never tried to pull the wool over anyone’s eyes: it is very clear from the label that it’s Yorkshire feta.

“We have started to develop the products that could jump into the place of Yorkshire feta if needs be, but we have always believed common sense would prevail. We shall wait and see what the decision is and then take a decision of our own.”

Feta was given Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status by the EU Commission in 2002, putting it on a list including Parma ham and French Champagne.

Feta’s PDO status is being challenged in the courts by Denmark and Germany, as the two countries both export tens of thousands of tonnes of the cheese each year. Some of it makes its way to Greece.

At least 25 British products have PDO status, such as Shetland lamb, Whitstable oysters and Newcastle brown ale. Yorkshire pudding is not on the list, as it is seen as a general term and does not need to be made in the region to get the name.

richard.edwards@ypn.co.uk