Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The difficulty is that if this is not led by the Minister, it will not happen and we will not ensure there is an alternative route to market. We have handed over €6 million to Bord Bia to promote suckler beef, even though that body publicly advised the Minister's predecessor that it does not believe there is resonance in the market for suckler beef. I do not know, therefore, why we gave it €6 million. If that money were to be invested in a publicly owned and controlled blockchain, it would provide a significant financial dividend to suckler farmers by giving them a premium route to market.

The other avenue in this context for providing a financial return to suckler farmers relates to the awarding of protected geographical indication, PGI, status for suckler beef. What is the status of that application?

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