COLCHESTER NATIVE OYSTER

Early day motion 984, tabled 19 April 2004 by Bob Russell (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 22 members.

That this House calls on the Government to support oyster growers in their application to the European Union to have protected geographical indication (PGI) issued to protect the name of the Colchester Native Oyster; believes that only oysters produced from the salt water creeks and estuaries of the historic Borough of Colchester should be allowed to be described as a Colchester Native; notes that oysters were farmed and harvested by the Romans from the same stretches of waters when Colchester was the first capital of Roman Britain; and believes that consumers who wish to eat the world's finest oysters should be protected from unscrupulous vendors who pass off inferior oysters as being Colchester Natives.

Signatures by party: Labour 10, Liberal Democrat 8, Conservative 3, Plaid Cymru 1.