Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Geographical Indications identify a product whose quality, reputation or other such characteristics are linked to its geographical origin.

My Department, as the Competent Authority for Protected Geographical Indications (PGI), checks PGI applications to ensure that the application and product specification are compliant with the relevant European Commission Regulations governing the scheme. I am very supportive of these applications once the criteria are satisfied as they add value to our agri-food products as well as highlighting their heritage.

As part of its scrutiny of the PGI application concerned, my Department has had extensive engagement with the applicant regarding the application for this food product since it was first received some time ago.

Geographical Indications are considered to be like intellectual property. Therefore the description of the product specification and the link and reputation of the product need to be clearly set out in the application and product specification. The application needs to withstand scrutiny at a number of levels: by my own Department, by stakeholders through the national opposition procedure, by the European Commission and by other Member States and third countries. The work undertaken with the applicant to this point is important to ensure the application can withstand the scrutiny at all stages of the process.

My Department's scrutiny is almost complete. Once my Department is satisfied that the application is ready, the application can move to the next stage which is the national opposition procedure.