Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 April 2023
86. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the current status of the application to secure EU protected geographical indication, PGI, status for Irish beef; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16918/23]
View answerI have questioned the Minister previously on the PGI status for beef. As he knows, my view is that we should have been looking for this status for premium Irish suckler beef rather than throwing in everything bar the kitchen sink with the term "grass-fed beef", which suits the beef processing industry. Having said that, 12 months ago the Minister gave me a commitment that the Commission was actively looking at this and seeking feedback from member states. What has happened and where is this application now?
I thank the Deputy for raising this As he will be aware, in December 2021, following scrutiny by the European Commission, the application for PGI for “Irish Grass Fed Beef” was published in the Official Journal of the European Union for a three-month opposition procedure that was open to both EU member states and third countries. Following the submission by the United Kingdom through the member state third country consultation procedure, the Commission invited both parties to engage on the application. After extensive engagement between my Department and its UK counterparts, particularly in Northern Ireland, the consultations were successfully concluded with agreement that the geographical area covered by the application will cover the island of Ireland. There had been a lot of engagement between myself and the Northern Ireland Minister of Agriculture, Environment, and Rural Affairs, Mr. Edwin Poots MLA, and between our two Departments in the run-up to that, to facilitate the process and achieve that outcome. It was our intention from the outset.
In early August last year, the revised product specification was sent to the European Commission. The Commission recently advised that its scrutiny of the revised application is ongoing. As the Deputy will appreciate, it is not possible to state when that scrutiny will be completed. However, my officials are in regular and proactive contact with the Commission with regard to progressing the scrutiny. These matters are governed by EU regulations and the process can be complex when there is a cross-border element with regard to the geographical area. We will be guided by the Commission's interpretation of the legal requirements when they have completed their scrutiny. I want the PGI for Irish grass-fed beef to be of real benefit to the suckler and beef farmers on the island as proper recognition for their hard work, commitment and dedication to producing a world-class beef product. It will be a really positive step forward and we are doing all we can to make sure it progresses in the best timeframe possible.
Can the Minister explain why the original application did not include the island of Ireland? We have a common veterinary scheme on it. It was logical that it would be the island of Ireland. This time last year the indication was that it was full steam ahead. The Department was looking for feedback from the various member states. It seems it has been pedalling backwards since then. No progress has been made to date. Is it not the case that there is a feeling, definitely among some officials in the Department but particularly within Bord Bia, that this really will not cut the mustard and there is not recognition of the value of grass-based beef, despite the fact that the Minister is spending €6 million promoting this across Europe?
That is not accurate. All of us, including the farming organisations, representatives, the Department and Bord Bia, see the value. That is why this is being developed. It will be of real benefit to have a PGI grass-fed designation for beef. It will make it more marketable and more valuable in the markets we are selling into. It is due recognition of the quality of the product. I engaged with Minister Poots throughout this. The intention was always that it would be an island of Ireland application. We had a lot more of the preparatory work done than was in place in Northern Ireland. We started the process and got the application in so it could kick off, with the intention of Northern Ireland joining as the process went on. It was to try to do it within the best possible timeframe but always with a commitment that it would be all-island.
When I argued for the promotion of grass-fed beef at European level, the Minister's predecessor, Deputy Creed, sitting in the chair now occupied by the Minister, told me Bord Bia had stated there was not a resonance with the European consumer with regard to grass-fed beef. Is it not the case that, as I have advocated in the past, we have a unique product in Ireland and that is suckler-reared grass-fed beef? It is a unique product on the European market. Will the Minister, even at this eleventh hour, consider revising the PGI application, targeting it at Irish suckler-reared beef and putting behind that the support which would have resonance with European consumers if it was marketed by Bord Bia, which has a questionable commitment on this issue?
According to the Deputy, the former Minister, Deputy Creed, stated there was not a resonance with grass-fed beef. I doubt he said that but the problem may have been-----
I will furnish the Minister with a copy of the Dáil record.
There is a very strong resonance with grass-fed beef. It is widely understood in the marketplace. Grass-fed beef and grain-fed beef are two distinct products and that resonates with the consumer in most markets. It is the key selling point of our beef and it is something on which we go on the front foot when it comes to selling it internationally. The research carried out by Bord Bia indicates there is less of a resonance and cut through to the consumer on suckler beef. It is unique to Ireland. It is a wonderful product that we have but------
Yes. It meets the PGI criteria.
-----it is not as widely understood in the markets we serve. We have a job to do to translate that wonderful product, which is not yet widely known, and develop the market for it. That is why I, as Minister, have, for the first time ever, specifically allocated €6 million to Bord Bia to develop the suckler brand. There is a committee involving all stakeholders and farm representatives to step that out and try to make sure that wonderful product gets the premium it deserves and we develop a market for it.
