Feargal Quinn (Independent)

Last week it was announced that protected geographical indiction status, PGI, was being allocated to Lough Neagh eels. I say this with pride because my maternal grandfather was an eel fisherman on Lough Neagh. The reason I mention this is that I have discovered that more than 50 foodstuffs in Britain, including the Cornish pasty, have obtained PGI status. Only four have been allocated such status in Ireland. Blaa in Waterford has applied for this status and I am sure the Leader is anxious it is allocated to it. The evidence shows having such status is of huge benefit. The French cheeses that have it are something like three times the price of cheeses that do not have it. We can do a lot more about this. Bord Bia is doing its best and doing everything it can but it needs publicity and evidence. There are some restrictions. The products that have been designation at present are Timoleague brown pudding, Connemara hill lamb, Clare Island salmon and Imokilly Regato cheese. We hope to add the Waterford blaa bread. Publicity and a sense of urgency are required.

It was stated during the week that the makers of Cashel Blue cheese are not going to apply for designation as theirs is a commercial operation. The reason is that if Cashel Blue were to receive PGI designation, anybody in Cashel could produce a blue cheese and call it Cashel Blue cheese. I understand some of the difficulties that arise but I am raising this today because I believe it is worthwhile addressing the matter. Publicity is required and availing of the opportunity that presents itself would certainly help the dairy and food industries and the agriculture sector. Let us ensure that the work Bord Bia is doing is encouraged and that we achieve far more than we have achieved to date.