Welsh Heather Honey or Mel Grug Cymru: Opportunity to object to the proposed amendment
Read the amended specification for the registered Welsh Heather Honey or Mel Grug Cymru being considered for protection under the UK government geographical indications agri-food scheme and find out how to object to the proposal.
Documents
Details
Food, drink and agricultural products with a geographical connection or that are made using traditional methods can be registered and protected as intellectual property. This protection is called a geographical indication (GI).
GI protection guarantees a product’s:
- characteristics or reputation
- authenticity
- origin
It protects the product name from misuse or imitation. It may only be used by producers who follow the rules protecting the GI.
Read more about the UK government agri-food GI scheme.
Application details
A non-minor amendment to the registered protected geographical indication (PGI) ‘Welsh Heather Honey or Mel Grug Cymru’ is eligible for consideration as approved by the Secretary of State.
The correct Welsh translation should have an accent, ‘ê.’
Read the amended PGI Product Specification.
The non-minor amendment refers to a name change of the PGI from ‘Welsh Heather Honey or Mel Grug Cymru’ to ‘Welsh Heather Honey or Mêl Grug Cymru.’
Notice period to object
As part of the amendment process, you have the opportunity to object to the amendment of the Welsh Heather Honey or Mel Grug Cymru product specification as a PGI if you have a legitimate interest.
The notice period to object:
- opens: 12:00am on Wednesday 21 January 2026
- closes: 11:59pm on Monday 20 April 2026
Reasons to object
Your objection to the registration of the amended product specification, changing the name to ‘Welsh Heather Honey or Mêl Grug Cymru’ must be based on at least one of the following reasons:
- application does not meet the conditions referred to in referred to in Article 5(2) (requirements for designations of origin and geographical indications) and Article 7(1) (product specification) of assimilated Regulation 1151/2012
- the name conflicts with the name of a plant variety or an animal breed and as a result is likely to mislead the consumer as to the true origin of the product (Article 6(2) assimilated Regulation 1151/2012)
- the name is identical to, or likely to cause confusion with a geographical indication that is registered or the subject of a pending application in the UK (Article 6(3) assimilated Regulation 1151/2012)
- the name is liable to mislead the consumer as to the true identity of the product in the light of a trademark’s reputation and the length of time it has been used (Article 6(4) assimilated Regulation 1151/2012)
- the name jeopardises the existence of an entirely or partly identical name or trademark or the existence of products which have been legally on the market for at least 5 years preceding the date of the publication of this consultation (Article 10(1)(c) assimilated Regulation 1151/2012)
- the name is customary in common language as the generic name for the good concerned (Article 10(1)(a) assimilated Regulation 1151/2012)
How to object
Use the relevant forms and follow the guidance on how to object to an application to register an agri-food name.
You have 3 months from the date of this publication to send your notice of opposition to ukgiapplications@defra.gov.uk.
Within 2 months of sending your notice, you must send a reasoned statement of your opposition to ukgiapplications@defra.gov.uk.
Your notice of opposition must be received by Defra by 11:59pm on Monday 20 April. If you miss the deadline, Defra will not consider your comments.
Enquiries
Email: ukgiapplications@defra.gov.uk if you have any further questions.