From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
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The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, TD, and Mr. Andrew Muir MLA, Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs of Northern Ireland, today hosted a joint event in Donegal to mark the registration of Irish Grass Fed Beef as an all island Protected Geographical Indication (PGI). The Ministers were joined by Bord Bia and the Livestock and Meat Commission, the applicants for the PGI on behalf of producers and processors.
Minister McConalogue said:
“On this very positive day for Irish farmers and Irish beef, marking the registration of the All Island Protected Geographical Indication for Irish grass-fed beef, we are also marking the first of many positive engagements that I look forward to with my Ministerial colleague, Minister Andrew Muir. I welcome that with the Assembly and Executive back in place, Minister Muir and I are together, here in my home county of Donegal, to mark this substantial achievement for our Island and for our farmers.
I would like to congratulate the applicants Bord Bia and the Livestock and Meat Commission who have achieved this on behalf of producers and processors across the island. The collaboration between my Department, Northern Ireland’s Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, the United Kingdom’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Bord Bia and the Livestock and Meat Commission is reflective of the valuable and ongoing north-south co-operation on agricultural matters and our positive engagements in the interests of farmers and processors across the island.”
The Minister added
“Visiting this excellent beef farm here in Donegal today is a reminder of the quality and sustainability of Irish beef and why it is in such demand around the world. The primary produce from Irish farmers that goes into creating our internationally respected quality food is the backbone of our agri-food sector. Securing the PGI status is recognition of these premium standards. I look forward to seeing these PGI products on European supermarket shelves and continuing to tell the story of Irish farming to an international audience.”
Minister Muir commented:
“The granting of Geographical Indication status for Irish Grass Fed Beef places it on the same pedestal as world-renowned products such as Champagne, Parma Ham, Roquefort Cheese and, of course Irish Whiskey."
“Having a Protected Geographical Indication is a triumph, a recognition of how the unique climate, landscape and practices of a region translates into food and drink, bestowing them with a distinctive taste and character. It is wonderful that the pedigree of Irish Grass Fed Beef has achieved this level of international recognition and an accolade to the hard working agriculture industry.”
Minister Muir added:
“The whole process has been an amazing success, not only by ensuring farmers north and south get the recognition they deserve, but in developing strong working relationships between government bodies North, South, East and West. I hope these relationships are further developed in any future all-island GI applications.”
Jim O’Toole, CEO of Bord Bia added:
“Shortly, with support from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Bord Bia will launch a campaign to promote Irish grass-fed beef with PGI status across our main European markets. Initially, we will focus on the Italian market which has been identified as having the highest recognition of products with PGI status. Our planned marketing activities include a trade campaign, a pilot consumer campaign, and engagement with chefs, influencers, and relevant media to build the awareness and understanding of our grass-fed production methods. Following a review of initial campaign activity, we will build our approach focussing on markets and customers offering the best premium potential for Irish farmers and processors. Based on our in-depth research of market potential for PGI, this will likely include markets such as Belgium, Switzerland, France and Germany.”
The PGI symbol will help consumers to identify the Irish Grass Fed Beef products in key export markets.
ENDS
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 better.
Ireland has currently nine registered PDO/PGI food product names - Clare Island Salmon (PGI), Imokilly Regato (PDO), Timoleague Brown Pudding (PGI), Connemara Hill Lamb (PGI), Waterford Blaa (PGI), Oriel Sea Salt (PDO), Oriel Sea Minerals (PDO), Sneem Black Pudding (PGI) and Achill Island Sea Salt (PDO).
Ireland also has three registered all island GI spirit drinks for Irish Whiskey, Irish Cream and Irish Poitín.