 Plans for an exclusion zone round Melton will be considered in Europe |
A row over whether the pie-makers of Melton Mowbray can keep the name exclusively is to be decided at the Court of Appeal - and in Europe. Leeds-based Northern Foods wants to be able to produce the pies across the UK.
Last year the High Court refused to quash a government bid to restrict production to Leicestershire.
Now Northern Foods has been permitted to go to the Appeal Court. The European Court of Justice will examine plans for an exclusion zone round Melton Mowbray.
The Melton Mowbray Pork Pie Association wants zone of 1,800 sq miles (2,880 sq km) to be created around the town, beyond which pies branded "Melton Mowbray" cannot be made.
The group has the backing of the Department for Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).
Northern Foods Plc (which has plants in Wiltshire and Shropshire) is strongly opposing "regional status" for Melton Mowbray pies and said any exclusion zone would be disastrous for its business.
On Tuesday judges sitting at the Civil Court of Appeal gave the company permission to take its case to the Court of Appeal.
They also agreed to refer part of the case - governing the decision over what geographical area should be in the exclusion zone - to the European Court of Justice.
The court heard the outcome of the case was vital to Northern Foods, as between 250 and 350 jobs could be at risk.
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