Sir, - I have read with much interest your reports and correspondence on the attempt by the local cheese maker, Shepherds Purse, to market its own brand of feta cheese.

I believe that the European Union's case law on this matter was determined a number of years ago by the European Court of Justice in an action to determine whether or not Parma ham could be produced in a country other than Italy. I cannot remember the precise details of the judgment, but I believe that the rationale was that if a product was unique to the particular area in which it was produced then the name under which it was marketed could not be used by manufacturers of a similar product in another geographical area.

The judgment sought to distinguish something which is unique to its locality from something which is merely a recipe.

I believe that it is this judgment which, much to my surprise, allows ham produced in another EU country to be described as York ham when sold in British retailers'.

Recently, when shopping, I nearly bought some such ham, but decided to leave it on the shelves of the supermarket when I discovered its origin. I was further dismayed to find that the fact that it had been packed in the UK was given great prominence on the packaging and it was also described as being "Farm Assured." Both of these statements, misleadingly, give the impression that the ham in question has been entirely produced on a British farm.

Perhaps the EU judgment in this context should be looked at again and be given greater clarity.

In the meantime, I shall continue to enjoy my Yorkshire pudding wherever it is made, together with Lancashire hot pot, Wiltshire cured ham, Cornish pasties, Devon and Jersey cream, Bakewell tarts, and many other tasty items which can be made anywhere in the world from the appropriate recipe. And I have to add that the Brussels sprouts in my garden are delicious!

I would like to wish Shepherd's Purse the best of luck in its cheese making enterprise.

DAVID HILL

Boroughbridge Road,

Northallerton.

Upgrade or outrage

Sir, - Residents of Melsonby have recently received the Highways Agency A66 explanation of the upgrade proposals. It is a non-technical summary and we are invited to an exhibition of the plans at the Quality Hotel Scotch Corner today and tomorrow to study the detail.

I fully support the need for dualling the A66, as I travel the road daily. I am only too aware of the dangers that have caused so many fatalities. I am also user of the various bridlepaths that cross this treacherous road. Having looked at the summary report and visited the last exhibition in Gilling West, I am appalled there have been no changes to the plans that separate the crossing traffic at a different level (bridge or tunnel), for at least one of the four crossings between Carkin Moor and Scotch Corner. Similar crossings on the A1 and A19 as proposed for Melsonby, I understand, have had to be upgraded to fly-overs. I would have thought it prudent to make such arrangements for the A66 and Melsonby/Gilling cross roads at this stage.

Currently I can be in a queue of four or five cars waiting to get out of the junction. I suggest that when the traffic is travelling at 70mph rather than 60mph, the visibility to the east will leave very little opportunity to make a safe crossing or right turn.

The proposal to enable bridlepath users to cross the A66 in two stages, waiting in a coral in the central reservation to cross the second stage is absolutely outrageous. The thought of children and horses waiting with heavy vehicles speeding past at 70 mph and the possibility of flapping tarpaulins or other wrappings, does not bear thinking about.

It certainly does not comply with the Department of Transport's own directives TA57/87 that recommend at-grade crossing are to be avoided and it specifically states visibility and traffic flow parameters that would exclude it as a suitable proposal. I do not wish to delay the upgrade of the A66 but appeal to all interested parties to examine the plans at Scotch Corner, make sure they understand what is proposed, ensure it is suitable for the future, make your opinions known and be sure public money is properly spent.

SUE ZISSLER

Moss Crest Farm,

Melsonby