The fight for the Cornish Pasty has stepped up a gear. The Cornish Pasty Association is appealing the Cornish to support its bid to achieve a protected geographical indicator for the "Pasty" and has launched a website where people can pledge support. The Association is also looking for more pasty bakers to become a member and join the group.

The CPA was originally formed in 2002 by a group of around 40 pasty makers based in Cornwall to protect the quality and reputation of the famous pasty and to stop consumers being misled by pasty makers who trade off the value of the name without producing a genuine product.

To safeguard the heritage of the Cornish pasty, the future of the industry and the product, the Association has submitted an application to DEFRA to seek Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status for the Cornish pasty and is hopeful of receiving DEFRA's support soon.

If that is received, the application will be sent to the European Commission for final approval. If granted, it will mean that only Cornish pasties made in Cornwall and to a traditional manner can legally be called Cornish Pasties'.

Angie Coombs, of the CPA Committee said: "It is unfortunate that many pasties currently sold are labelled as Cornish pasties but are made outside of Cornwall without following a traditional recipe or baking manner. These products are inferior in both quality and taste and over time will erode the reputation of the Cornish pasty with consumers. We're so close to gaining ministerial support it's a great time to drum up some more members so that as many Cornish pasty makers as possible benefit from the PGI when it is approved. We've set up a website and are distributing leaflets and posters around Cornwall to raise awareness of our campaign both with the general public and pasty makers. We are aiming to get as many people as possible behind our bid. I would urge all pasty makers in Cornwall to consider the merits of being a member of the association not least to ensure they reap the commercial benefits in the long run."

What do you think? Comment below, vote above and to sign the petition, click on the link.