Politicians seek EU safeguard for 'the champagne of black puddings'

STORNOWAY black pudding could be given protected status, after the Scottish Secretary yesterday added his voice to a campaign to win European designation for the product.

Highlands and Islands Labour MSPs are seeking a protected designation order for the famous pudding – known as marag dubh in Gaelic – after "Stornoway-style" black puddings were spotted for sale at some butchers in the Central Belt.

Jim Murphy said: "Scotland has many fine food products, which are increasingly marketable and it's important that these are sustained and developed to the benefit of local communities, particularly in areas such as the Highlands and Islands."

Peter Peacock, MSP, said: "I have been a great fan of Stornoway black pudding for many years and it would be excellent if protected status raised the profile and stimulated an even bigger export market. This would allow more people to enjoy one of the great products of the Highlands and Islands."

The pudding is traditionally made by butchers in Stornoway on Lewis, each claiming a different secret recipe, but butchers in Glasgow and Edinburgh have been selling their own versions, calling it "Stornoway-style".

EU designation already protects products like champagne.