Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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824. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of Ireland's application for PGI status for Irish grass-fed beef; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27695/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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On 8th December 2021, following the National Opposition Procedure and scrutiny by the European Commission, the application for a PGI for Irish Grass Fed Beef was published the in the Official Journal of the European Union for a three month ‘opposition procedure’ which was open both to EU Member States and third countries. The opposition period concluded on 8th March 2022.

The EU Commission advised my Department that the UK made a submission to the EU during the opposition period.

My Department and Bord Bia are currently engaging with their counterparts in Northern Ireland to discuss the submission made by the UK and taking into account the PGI regulatory requirements.  The European Commission will be notified of the outcome of those consultations and at that stage we will be advised by the Commission on the next steps.  

I am excited about delivering a PGI status for Irish Grass Fed Beef. It will help drive market returns for beef and suckler farmers across the island rewarding our world-class farmers for their committment to excellence.

Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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825. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he expects to receive and publish the wool feasibility study; the measures that he will adopt to develop an indigenous wool sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27696/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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One of the commitments of the current Programme for Government is to conduct a review of the potential demand for wool-based products such as for insulation and fertilisers in domestic and international markets.

In March 2021, I initiated a public consultation to identify terms of reference for this review.

The agreed terms of reference were:

- identification of market opportunities domestically and internationally for wool-based products;

- carrying out economic feasibility and cost benefit analysis on proposed market opportunities;

- determining mechanisms that could be used to support industry initiatives;

- identification of potential research projects applicable to supporting the identified market opportunities. 

Respondents were also asked to make recommendations on potential domestic and international market opportunities for wool products. Forty-five stakeholder submissions were received.

The Request for Tenders seeking service providers to carry out this study was published on 8^thJuly 2021 through a competitive public procurement procedure and five tenders were received. In November 2021, I appointed 'The Agile Executive,' a consortium of experts from Munster Technological University and Donegal Yarns, to conduct this study.

The expert group was contracted to conduct the review in accordance with the terms of reference and to examine submissions received during the public consultation. The expert group's report has now been received by my Department and is being finalised for publication in the coming weeks.

Given that wool is a natural substance that is sustainable, organic and renewable and can be used in a variety of products such as textiles, fertiliser, and insulation, it makes great sense to investigate its potential. I am hopeful that this review the report's recommendations will aid the development of a strong policy framework for the Irish wool industry.