Yorkshire rhubarb protected in Europe
Rhubarb farmers in the north of England are to celebrating after their rhubarb, grown using a method developed specially for the region’s soil, is granted protected status.
Farmers in the so-called Rhubarb Triangle between Wakefield, Bradford and Leeds have been struggling in recent years as their ‘forcing method’ has been imitated in The Netherlands. This, together with consumers eating less rhubarb, has caused the business of all but 12 farmers to crumble.
The European Commission has now granted Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) to rhubarb grown in the 9 square mile patch.
The forcing method involves growing the crop in fields for two years, then uprooting it by candlelight – as exposure to bright lights would affect growth – and repotting it in sheds.
