02/07/2009 07:12:00

Birmingham City Council is considering applying to prevent restaurants outside of Birmingham from using the name Balti for any of their curry dishes.

The new plans could mean that any restaurant currently serving Balti curries on their menus will have to change their offerings to remove the dish.

Advocates of the plan claim that they want Birmingham to be acknowledged as the Balti's "birthplace" and wish the curry to be trademarked with the city's name, much in the vein of Wensleydale cheese from Yorkshire and Champagne in France, each of which claim sole rights to call their products after the area name.

The European Union grants protected designation of origin for foodstuffs that undergo distinctive production, processing and preparation in a region adhering to that area's recognised local practices.

A spokesperson from the West Midlands city told the BBC: "The idea that Birmingham should trademark the term 'Balti' is certainly an interesting one, which is not without its merits.

"The city is not only the birthplace of the dish, but also home to the UK's premier community of Balti restaurants and businesses - The Balti Triangle.

"The city council is always seeking new and imaginative ways to promote the city regionally, nationally and internationally, which, if judged to be feasible and to the benefit of local people or businesses, we would not hesitate in pursuing."

Birmingham curry restaurant owners are keen to get the trademark as it means that many eateries will be prevented from serving the dish incorrectly, as it undergoes a certain preparation and serving method to be considered a Balti.