The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue has said he will be raising two issues with the European Commission regarding the application for Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status for Irish Grass-Fed Beef’.
It follows a marathon meeting of the Beef Market Taskforce last evening (Thursday October 22) where farm groups gave broad support for the application.
Also Read: Farm groups back PGI application after 8-hour taskforce meetingThe main conclusion from the meeting was that the Bord Bia-developed PGI application will go forward to the EU for final approval.
Minister McConalogue said: “I would like to acknowledge the efforts of all concerned in progressing a PGI application for Irish Grass-Fed Beef. If approved, this PGI status has the potential to improve the market positioning of Irish beef at a time when it is most badly needed.
If the PGI application is approved in due course by the EU Commission, it has the potential to enable Ireland’s beef offering to be strongly positioned in terms of our unique quality, grass-fed product, specifically called out as Irish, and with benefits for all those in the supply chain, principally the primary producer.
The Beef Taskforce also agreed in principle that, if successful, a PGI Monitoring Group will be established to report to the taskforce on progress on a regular basis, with a majority farmer representation.
Issues for EU Commission
Minister McConalogue said he will be raising two issues with the commission in submitting the final application.
- Reflecting strong views from some stakeholders – making the point that grass-fed young bulls should be included, when further data on this cohort is available to support this;
- Reflecting discussions with Northern Ireland counterpart, that Ireland would support the PGI being extended on an all-island basis, when a grass-fed verification system is in place in Northern Ireland.
The taskforce also supported a proposal from Bord Bia for a programme of suckler beef promotion and the development of a brand proposition for Irish Suckler Beef, with a budget of up to €6 million over the next three years, subject to annual review of progress.
This annual review, which will be overseen by a monitoring group with majority farmer representation, will assess progress in relation to the creation of market demand by differentiating Irish suckler beef and the ability of the brand to deliver improved returns.
Minister welcomes cooperation
The minister welcomed the commitment by stakeholders to work together in the development of a suckler brand that resonates in the marketplace and that all organisations can stand over and support.
Minister McConalogue said: “Budget 2021 provided significant funding for the livestock sector, particularly in the form of targeted supports for suckler beef farmers.
These schemes will support suckler farmers to improve the environmental and economic performance of their beef animals, while recording actions which will assist in demonstrating their environmental and welfare credentials.
“I hope that these schemes can be built on and developed in preparation for the next round of CAP [Common Agricultural Policy]. These supports will align well with the development of a brand proposition for Irish suckler beef,” the minister concluded.
PGI status
Under the EU quality schemes, achieving Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) recognition for products enables consumers to trust and distinguish quality products while also helping producers to market their products better.
The Programme for Government includes a commitment to “Work at EU level for the development of a PGI for Irish beef”.
A successful PGI application to the European Commission would allow Irish beef, which meets the specification, to bear the PGI logo.