Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 July 2020
184. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a suckler based application for EU protected geographical indication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17719/20]
View answerA Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) is a product, which must be produced, processed or prepared in a particular geographical area, and where a specific quality, reputation, or other characteristics are attributable to that area. I believe that such schemes can provide a positive economic opportunity for producers and for rural areas.
Officials from my Department have been working with Bord Bia on an application for a PGI for Irish Grass Fed Beef focussing on the reputation of high quality beef produced through Ireland’s grass-based production system, incuding suckler beef. In my view, it is important that the application for PGI seeks to achieve the optimum outcome for Irish farmers.
I am committed to supporting and developing Ireland’s beef sector, which plays an important role in sustaining the rural economy and rural communities across Ireland and I recognise the importance of suckler farming in this regard. The beef sector has many strengths and one way of capitalising on these is through the means available under the EU Geographical Indications schemes, which highlight to consumers the value adding characteristics of a given product carrying a Geographical Indication logo.
