Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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1162. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the current status of the application to secure EU PGI status for Irish beef; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16551/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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In December 2021, following scrutiny by the European Commission, the application for a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) for “Irish Grass Fed Beef” was published 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.

Following submission by the UK to the European Commission, the Commission invited both parties to engage on the application. Discussions between my Department and its UK counterparts were successfully concluded in July 2022, with agreement that the geographical area covered by the application will cover the island of Ireland. Other than changes associated with the extension of the area, there was no substantial change to the product specification.

In August 2022, the European Commission was notified of the agreement and was sent the revised application. The application has since been the subject of European Commission scrutiny. My Department is engaging with the European Commission and its UK counterparts on the next steps, which will include a further consultation/opposition procedure at member State and Third country level. If there is no opposition, it is hoped that application could proceed for registration.

I want to conclude the process as quickly as possible as I believe that PGI Status for Grass Fed Irish beef will be of huge benefit for the entire suckler and beef industry here. I believe it will play a key role in driving further added value for the benefit of the hardworking and skilled beef and suckler farmers across the country.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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1163. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the consideration given to an application to secure EU PGI status for Irish lamb; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16552/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy may be aware, Geographical indications (GIs), Protected Designations of Origin (PDOs) and Protected Geographical Indication (PGIs) are names identifying a product as originating in a given territory, and testifying to a link between a given quality, reputation or characteristic of the product and its geographical origin.

A ‘geographical indication’ is a name, including a traditionally used name, which identifies a product: (a) originating in a specific place, region or country; (b) whose given quality, reputation or other characteristic is essentially attributable to its geographical origin; and (c) at least one of the production steps of which takes place in the defined geographical area.

I inform the Deputy that my Department has not received an application for a protected geographical indication for "Irish lamb". There is however already a PGI registered for "Connemara Hill Lamb" and there is currently an application for a PGI for "Comeragh Mountain Lamb" which is under examination at present, following receipt of queries from European Commission on the application.

Any groups or persons interested in applying for a protected geographical indication can contact my Department at the dedicated e-mail address GeographicalIndications@agriculture.gov.ie.