What is PGI Status?

Welsh Lamb has been reared in our stunning landscapes for many centuries, with the purest natural ingredients – clean air, fresh spring water, luscious grass and fragrant heather.

These natural elements combined with traditional farming practises, which have been passed down through generations, are what make Welsh Lamb some of the finest produce in the world.

In recognition of this, Welsh Lamb has been awarded the coveted Status of Protected Geographical Indication by the UK government and the European Union. The PGI scheme aims to preserve and promote speciality foods unique to their terrains. They highlight foods that are distinctive, lovingly crafted, and strongly connected to their land. For Welsh Lamb, the prestigious PGI badge means lambs born and reared in Wales, allowed to roam freely across their land and cared for by farmers with traditional farming practises that have been taught for centuries.

 

About the Farming Practises

For generations, Welsh farmers have understood the principle that environmental stewardship leads to their agricultural success. This knowledge has formed the foundations of sustainable farming traditions and their ability to produce renowned Welsh Lamb. 

Most farms across Wales are family-operated and maintain exceptional standards in both animal care and land management, serving as guardians of Wales’ unique landscape for centuries. By doing so, farmers are not only able to produce high-quality meat but also protect the landscape for generations to come.

Lambs that are born in Wales are all tagged and logged from birth so that they can be identified as belonging to a specific farm and traced at every stage of the production process, from field to fork.

 

What is the Environmental Impact?

Welsh livestock farmers have a strong understanding that if you look after the environment, the environment will look after you.  For centuries, they have played a crucial role in preserving and maintaining the stunning landscapes that make Wales so unique.

Wales’ land is well-suited for rearing sheep, which leads to less damage to our landscape. The vast majority of Welsh farmland is unsuitable for growing crops due to the harsh conditions. Therefore, raising sheep is the most efficient way to turn marginal land into high-quality produce. The Welsh way of farming is largely non-invasive, and Welsh sheep are largely reared on our natural resources of grass and rainwater.

Welsh farmers, because of their traditional practices, are also able to capture carbon from the atmosphere through the grassland in the Welsh hills, in order to continue to protect the land.

More information on the provenance of Welsh Lamb can be found on the Hybu Cig Cymru website.