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The application for protected geographical indication (PGI) status and a grass-fed standard for Irish beef is still causing angst on the ground.
While the exclusion of bulls has been the main talking point, the fact that farmers haven’t been consulted on it has spurred some criticism of what should be a positive move for Irish beef.
Bord Bia has given an undertaking to allow bulls into the grass-fed standard if they meet the eligibility criteria, which many have seen as a positive move.
Eligibility criteria
However, questions remain as to how these eligibility criteria are validated and some within the industry have questioned how this validation process will stand up.
It has fired up a range of different opinions among farm organisations as to what animals should be allowed in and what should be ruled out.
All are adamant that the grass-fed standard doesn’t become a processor premium and marketing tool for the multiples and that there should be a clearly defined premium payment made to the farmer.
ICSA - bull exclusion 'doesn't stack up'
ICSA beef chair Edmund Graham told the Irish Farmers Journal: “I agree with the idea, but any premium must go back to the farmer - it can’t be hoovered up by the factories.
“It’s my understanding that 70% of Irish finished cattle will hit the spec. It’s hard to see the factories paying a premium on that many cattle. They struggle to pay traditional breed bonuses in times of high supply.”
Graham insisted that any PGI application should focus on suckler beef.
“We already know the power of the suckler brand; why not capitalise on that more and protect our suckler farmers?” he said.
On the inclusion of bulls, he insisted: “The idea that a 10-year-old dairy cow would hit the spec and a 14-month Aberdeen Angus bull wouldn’t is a joke and just doesn’t stack up.”
ICMSA - foolish not to grasp the opportunity
ICMSA president Pat McCormack told the Irish Farmers Journal: “The Irish beef sector has the opportunity to get PGI status on over 70% of the beef we produce, based on the fact that it is a grass-based unique product.
“[The] ICMSA’s opinion is that, as a sector, we would be very foolish not to grasp this opportunity, given that it also provides a greater level of protection under trade agreements.”
He continued: “We are going to have to factor in a potential Mercosur agreement down the line and we have to look at every opportunity to protect our primary beef producers.
"In addition, while nobody can give any guarantees, an increased market price should flow back from some markets and we really have to look at every way of improving farmer beef prices.”
IFA - PGI needs 'fundamental rethink'
IFA president Tim Cullinan said that the IFA met with Bord Bia last week to try to sort out some of the issues around the grass-fed proposal.
“We made it very clear that there needs to be more consultation with farmers and much more clarity around many aspects of the proposals,” he said.
Cullinan maintained that when it comes to grass-fed criteria, young bulls have to be treated the same as any other category of animals and measured against the same criteria.
“Making young bulls ineligible before they are even assessed against the criteria is not right,” he said.
Cullinan said the IFA also sought clarification on a number of other aspects of the grass-fed standard proposals, including how the ‘exclusion’ of the first nine months of the animal’s life would be operated in practice.
On the PGI proposals, the Tipperary man said the approach to PGI "needs a more fundamental rethink".
"There are key issues around ownership and guarantees that price premiums will be paid back to farmers that have to be sorted out.”
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