English village of Stilton stymied in bid to make namesake cheese

LONDON – They make fine cheese in the English village of Stilton. Just don’t call it stilton.

British authorities say a local pub can’t market its blue-veined cheese as stilton because that name is protected by European Union legislation.

EU rules say the name can only apply to cheese made in the counties of Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.

Stilton falls outside that area, but locals believe it’s where the cheese originated.

The Bell Inn has been forced to sell its cheese as “Bell Blue” rather than stilton.

A local cheese company asked the government to amend the rules. But the food ministry said Wednesday that it could only consider an application from the pub.

Pub landlord Liam McGivern vowed to fight on, saying “it’s ridiculous that we can’t make stilton in Stilton.”