Séamus Kirk (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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283. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has examined establishing an Island of Ireland beef geographical indicator and the cost of this. [46307/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The European Union scheme of geographical indications (GI) protects the names of quality agricultural products and foodstuffs where a strong link exists between the product’s characteristics and a defined geographical area. In the case of a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) the product must be produced or processed or prepared in the geographical area and a specific quality, reputation or other characteristics must be attributable to that entire area.

A previous application for Irish Beef was withdrawn as the European Commission did not accept that there were exceptional circumstances to justify using the name of a Member State. The Commission also expressed reservations about a 'Northern Ireland Beef' PGI application.

While EU regulations now permit the use of a Member State’s name, it must be shown that the product is characterised throughout the geographical area by the same qualities, geographical and human factors. Producer bodies and agencies have from time to time explored a possible joint application but have not reached a shared position.  If a consensus develops on applying for an all island 'Irish Beef' PGI, my Department and its agencies will work with producer bodies and our counterparts on the matter.  However, there is a significant difficulty in establishing a case for a GI where, as in the case of beef, labelling rules already require the declaration of the Member State of origin. 

Applications are developed by producer groups and are submitted by Member States who may agree on submission of a joint application by one or both Member States. There is no particular cost except where research is required to establish and prove that a product has unique qualities, which are linked to the defined geographical area and that all product in that area shares those qualities.