PDO

Orkney Beef

Orkney Beef is a registered Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) on the UK register. The name is protected in law: a product cannot be sold under it unless it meets the registered specification.

What the register says

Registered name: Orkney Beef
Status: Registered
Protection type: Protected Designation of Origin (PDO)
Register: Foods: designated origin and geographical indication
Class or category of product: 1.1 Fresh meat (and offal)
Country of origin: United Kingdom
Date of registration (UK scheme): 31 December 2020
Original EU registration: 21 June 1996
Reason for protection: UK geographical indication from before 2021

What we’ve written about it

Orkney and Shetland Meat: The Island PDOs, and the Sheep That Eat Seaweed

Orkney Beef, Orkney Lamb and Shetland Lamb hold PDO status — the strictest protection there is. What the specifications require, the native breeds behind them, and how to buy.

Source: Orkney Beef on the UK protected food and drink names register, read 7 September 2026. Full register: gov.uk/protected-food-drink-names.