Application seeking EU protected status for rapeseed oil to be made

There are now eight brands of virgin cold-pressed rapeseed oil in Scotland.

Before any decision is made by the European Commission, the submission will need the backing of the Scottish government and the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs in London.

Amanda Brown, industry development director of Scotland Food & Drink, who heads the Scottish Rapeseed Oil group, said: “Getting protected designation of origin status would help raise awareness of Scottish cold-pressed rapeseed oil among both consumers and chefs.

Until a decade ago, rapeseed was used mainly in margarine and was mixed with other oils in addition to being used as a biofuel to power cars.

However, a niche market has formed over the past ten years for cold-pressed rapeseed oil, which is now competing with imported olive oil.

Rapeseed oil has a higher burning point which means it can be used where olive oil would burn and is said to have a more neutral flavour.

Retail analysts Kantar Worldpanel said sales of cold-pressed rapeseed oil totalled £5.9 million in the UK last year and that the market is expanding.

It added that 4.3 per cent of Scottish buyers bought the oil over the past year, with 33,000 purchasing it for the first time.