Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 November 2020
1522. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of efforts to secure protected geographical indication, PGI, status for Irish beef; the views of different stakeholders on the matter; the prospects for progress in the short term on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33065/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application to register "Irish Grass Fed Beef" as a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) was submitted to my Department by Bord Bia on behalf of producers. One of the legal requirements for a PGI application is that a 'National Opposition" procedure must be undertaken prior to submission of an application to the EU Commission. The draft application was published in August and the period for oppositions ended on 11 September.
I can confirm that 22 submissions were received in response to the national opposition procedure. My Department is currently assessing these submissions. The matter was also discussed at Beef TaskForce meetings most recently on 22 October 2020 at which stakeholders agreed in principle to support the draft application. My Department will now complete the remaining necessary steps in this process. Every effort is being made to expedite the process.
Our Irish grass fed beef is a respected product nationally and internationally and that reputation is a reflection of the sustained efforts of farmers and all of those involved in striving to achieve the highest level of quality for our beef products. PGI status would assist Ireland in further communicating the characteristics and reputation of this quality product, in line with the Programme for Government commitment to “Work at EU level for the development of a Protected Geographic Indicator (PGI) for Irish beef’.
