Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 October 2020
407. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if Teagasc has verified and qualified the science involved in the Bord Bia approved grass-fed standard; the tests Teagasc carried out on behalf of him to validate the standard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28021/20]
View answerThe development of the grass-fed standard for Irish beef involved active consultation between key stakeholders including Bord Bia, producer organisations and industry. Accreditation was provided by the Irish National Accreditation Board (INAB).
I understand that calculation of the proportion of the grass in the diet was based on Teagasc modelling for both dairy and beef systems and that was Teagasc's sole involvement in the standard. The systems of beef production researched by Teagasc over many years have very high utilisation of grass and grass silage, and this has positioned Irish beef to put forward its grass-fed credentials.
