Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 July 2014
604. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if it is intended to seek protected geographical indication, PGI, status for Irish beef in a joint application with the Northern Ireland Minister for Agriculture; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29801/14]
View answerThe European Union scheme of geographical indications (GI) protects the names of quality agricultural products and foodstuffs where a strong link exists between the characteristics of a product or foodstuff and the defined geographical area. It represents a niche in European food production where a speciality typical of the locality is produced in a common way. In the case of a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) the product must be produced or processed or prepared in the geographical area and a specific quality, reputation or other characteristics must be attributable to that area.
The concept is one of a local or regional food or ""terroir" rather than national reputation. A previous application for Irish Beef was withdrawn as the European Commission did not accept that there were exceptional circumstances to justify the use of the name of a Member State in the proposed PGI. The Commission also expressed reservations about an application to register 'Northern Ireland Beef' as a PGI.
Since then producer bodies and agencies have from time to time explored the possibility of a joint application but have not to date reached a shared position. If a consensus develops on the value of applying for an all island 'Irish Beef' PGI, my Department and its agencies will work with producer bodies and our counterparts on this matter. While the regulation now permits the use of the name of a Member State on a GI , however the qualities of the product have to be the same and it must be demonstrated how the same geographical and human factors throughout the whole geographical area have produced this product. There is furthermore, a very significant difficulty in establishing a PGI where, as in the case of beef, labelling rules already require the declaration of the Member State of origin.
Applications are developed by producer groups and are submitted by Member States who may agree that one Member State should submit the joint application. An application may cross more than one jurisdiction if the geographical area and region share the particular characteristics. I have discussed this with Minister O’Neill and we will continue to work together to support the development of opportunities for Irish beef farmers.
