European Commission publication of application for Protected Designation of Origin for Achill Island Sea Salt
- Published on: 9 August 2023
- Last updated on: 28 August 2023
The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, welcomed the European Commission’s recent publication for a three-month Member State/third country opposition procedure of the application for a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) for “Achill Island Sea Salt”.
“Achill Island Sea Salt” is the name given to a hand harvested sea salt from the waters around Achill Island, Co Mayo, Ireland.
Minister McConalogue said:
“I am delighted that the European Commission has finalised its scrutiny of the PDO application for “Achill Island Sea Salt” and that the application has reached this stage of the procedure. The publication is a requirement under EU rules.”
The publication of the application represents the next phase of consultation on the application for PDO status for “Achill Island Sea Salt”. It is now open to other Member States and third countries having a legitimate interest to make submissions on the application with the Commission, within a three-month period from the date of publication.
Minister McConalogue added:
“The PDO application for “Achill Island Sea Salt” indicates the preservation of traditional production methods, promoting heritage and supporting local economies. I commend all those who have been involved in bringing the application to this stage."
Notes
EU quality policy aims to protect the names of specific products to promote their unique characteristics, linked to their geographical origin as well as traditional know-how. Product names can be granted a 'geographical indication' (GI) if they have a specific link to the place where they are made. The GI recognition enables consumers to trust and distinguish quality products while also helping producers to market their products.
A Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) differs from a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) in that for a PDO, every part of the production, processing and preparation process must take place in the specific region covered by the application.
Following the National Opposition Procedure, the application for a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) for “Achill Island Sea Salt”, the DAFM submitted the application to the European Commission for evaluation in December 2020.
Scrutiny was undertaken by the European Commission on the application. The application was published by the Commission on 27 July 2023 for the Member State/third country opposition procedure. The official publication of the PDO application in the EU Commissions Official Journal is available: EUR-Lex - 52023XC0727.
The publication of the revised application is required by EU rules and will be for a period of three months from the date of publication. If no legitimate oppositions are received, it is hoped that the application will proceed for registration.
Further information on Geographical Indications, including Protected Designation of Origin, is available here: Geographical Indications (Protected Food and Drink Names).