butchers introduced a voluntary 5 pence 'tax' in support of the PGI application, and to fund the fight against Lincolnshire sausages being manufactured elsewhere or making too much use of seasonings other than sage. However, objections to the PGI application were raised by other producers of the sausage, who claimed that more than 95% of existing commercial sausage production would be excluded under its terms. The PGI application was rejected by the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) in 2012, who cited a lack of strong ties to the county. Competitions Every year, a competition is held in Lincoln to find the best Lincolnshire sausage. See also Cumberland sausage Melton Mowbray pork pie References External links Lincolnshire Sausage Association The English Breakfast Society History Of The Lincolnshire Sausage English sausages Lincolnshire cuisine