NORTH Cornwall’s MP has tabled an official Parliamentary motion this week which calls for much stronger protections for Cornish food and drink products.

Ben Maguire, the Liberal Democrat MP for the area has said the motion marks Cornish celebrations in the week of St Piran’s Day. The Early Day Motion, which has attracted cross-party backing from other MPs from Cornwall and beyond, stresses the economic and cultural importance of Cornish produce, and calls on the government to deliver stronger safeguards to ensure products marketed as 'Cornish' are genuinely made in Cornwall.

The motion comes at a time in which there is a growing concern surrounding the future of a number of Cornish food and drink producers, particularly in light of the recent announcement of the proposed closure of Sharp’s Brewery in Rock.

Mr Maguire has said that stronger protections would help safeguard local jobs in his constituency, support countless independent Cornish food and drink businesses, and help to preserve Cornwall’s unique identity.

He has previously lobbied for recognised protection of Cornish lobster, following his visit to the National Lobster Hatchery in his North Cornwall constituency. The government gave positive indications of this change, with the MP now hoping to widen these protections to additional food and drink items.

Commenting on the matter, Mr Maguire said: "St Piran’s Day (Gool Peran) is the perfect time to celebrate everything that makes Cornwall so special, including of course the incredible food and drink we produce here in the Duchy.

"This is very much an issue that goes beyond party politics, and I'm glad to see Cornish MPs united in backing our local producers and protecting Cornwall’s identity. With so many pressures growing on local businesses, it's now more important than ever for us to protect what makes Cornwall so unique."