Producers of feta cheese outside Greece have been dismayed by the recommendation by EU adviser Ruiz Jarable to reject calls by German and Danish governments to lift PDO protection for feta.

The EU directive on feta is due to come into force in 2007. Alongside Germany and Denmark, the only UK feta producer, Shepherds Purse Cheeses, is challenging the ruling with the backing of MEP Edward McMillan-Scott.

The company argues that feta is not a geographical area of Greece, and that it should be used as a generic term to describe a young, creamy cheese made from ewe’s milk.