Jennifer Murnane O'Connor
Question:85. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if producers in County Carlow will be awarded the new PGI for Irish grass-fed beef. [18298/24]
View answerThursday, 25 April 2024
Questions (85)
Written answers
I was delighted that Irish Grass Fed Beef was registered as an all-island Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) in December 2023. This means that producers and processors from across the island of Ireland whose products have been officially verified as meeting the product specification will be eligible to market their Irish Grass Fed Beef products bearing the PGI symbol. Only the best food and drink products in the EU achieve PGI status and it is great testament to our beef sector that they have joined this exclusive club.
Bord Bia submitted the PGI application on behalf of Irish producers and processors and it was five-year process to secure the designation last December.
Products using the PGI designation must meet the requirements as set out in the product specification. My Department is the competent control authority for geographical indications and is responsible for ensuring that a product is compliant with the specification before it is placed on the market.
I was delighted to be in Milan a few weeks ago to mark the placing on the market of the first PGI for Irish Grass Fed Beef. This was no small task and I want to again acknowledge in particular the exporter, and their farmer suppliers for achieving this. They were also supported strongly by Bord Bia and my Department which demonstrates the collective determination to drive value for the Irish beef sector. Prior to the Milan event, I marked the recognition of this PGI on a suckler farm in Co. Donegal and it was truly a milestone event for me a month later to see the Irish Grass Fed Beef PGI on the shelves in an Italian supermarket. I trust that beef farmers in Carlow will be seeing their product sold internationally as PGI grass-fed beef if indeed it is not happening already.
It takes an enormous effort to get a PGI application over the line successfully, and Irish Grass Fed Beef has now joined an exclusive list of quality European products. The PGI means that consumers will be assured of the unique qualities of our beef linked to its place of origin and our pasture-based production system. The PGI symbol will help to differentiate Irish Grass Fed Beef for consumers in key markets and I look forward to seeing how the use of the PGI develops over time.
Producers who consider that their product meets the specification should engage with their processors and Bord Bia for more information.