Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Naughten. At the most recent meeting of the beef task force which took place on 22 October, stakeholders agreed in principle to support an application by Bord Bia for protected geographical indication, PGI, status for Irish grass-fed beef. The beef task force also agreed in principle that a PGI monitoring group with a majority of farmer representation would be established to report on the progress of the task force on a regular basis. My Department has completed the remaining necessary steps in this process, including issuing responses to those who have submitted oppositions to the Department during the national opposition procedure and publishing the final document on the issue to the European Commission. The final document reflects changes arising from concerns raised during the national opposition procedure, including clarification that a two-hour transport limit to an abattoir is not a requirement and that farmers can transport their own cattle.

At the time of submission of the application to the EU, I intend to raise the following two issues with the Commission. First, I will make the point that grass-fed young bulls should be included when further data on this cohort are available to support this, thereby reflecting strong views from some stakeholders received through the opposition procedure. Second, reflecting discussions with my counterpart in Northern Ireland, I will advise the Commission 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 as well.

The EU procedures provide for detailed scrutiny of the application and publication of an EU opposition procedure. If there is a satisfactory outcome to the EU scrutiny and no oppositions are received, it is hoped that, all going well, the application will be progressed for registration of a protected geographical indicator. If successfully registered, PGI status will 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 for Irish beef. PGI status has the potential to improve the marketing position of Irish beef at a time when it is badly needed.

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