A suckler beef brand, which would add value in some of Ireland’s main markets, has been mooted by agri-food leaders as the next step forward for the beleaguered beef sector.
“Many years ago, we explored the possibility of a PGI [protected geographical indicator] for Irish beef,” said secretary general of the Department of Agriculture Brendan Gleeson at the Irish Farmers Journal Navigating Global Trade conference on Friday.
Complications
“At the time, we didn’t succeed because we didn’t have national PGI availability. There seems to be a renewed prospect of GI.
"One of the complications is that it has tremendous marketing advantage, but you have to agree a specification with the EU that is verifiable. By definition, not everybody will get into a GI. [But it] could be available for grass fed suckler beef in Ireland.”
I think it is a very good idea to build on the excellent global reputation of quality Irish beef
Commissioner Hogan said that growing Ireland’s exports is a business imperative.
“With that in mind, I think it is a very good idea to build on the excellent global reputation of quality Irish beef and it would be worthwhile applying again for a PGI registration.
“This would add value in some of Ireland’s main markets and would help distinguish the product against competing products.
Every chance of success
“If Irish farmers can identify specific products for which Ireland is famous and build a proposal around that, it has every chance of success.
"But let me stress that a quality Irish beef application cannot refer to all beef produced in Ireland,” he said.
“A PGI passes a message of quality and authenticity to consumers.
"I welcome that the Department met with DG AGRI experts and producers on 1 March in Dublin to discuss the conditions for a PGI proposal.”
The Navigating Global Trade Conference is brought to you by the Irish Farmers Journal and Grant Thornton and is supported by the European Commission. This is a citizen’s dialogue event.
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A suckler beef brand, which would add value in some of Ireland’s main markets, has been mooted by agri-food leaders as the next step forward for the beleaguered beef sector.
“Many years ago, we explored the possibility of a PGI [protected geographical indicator] for Irish beef,” said secretary general of the Department of Agriculture Brendan Gleeson at the Irish Farmers Journal Navigating Global Trade conference on Friday.
Complications
“At the time, we didn’t succeed because we didn’t have national PGI availability. There seems to be a renewed prospect of GI.
"One of the complications is that it has tremendous marketing advantage, but you have to agree a specification with the EU that is verifiable. By definition, not everybody will get into a GI. [But it] could be available for grass fed suckler beef in Ireland.”
I think it is a very good idea to build on the excellent global reputation of quality Irish beef
Commissioner Hogan said that growing Ireland’s exports is a business imperative.
“With that in mind, I think it is a very good idea to build on the excellent global reputation of quality Irish beef and it would be worthwhile applying again for a PGI registration.
“This would add value in some of Ireland’s main markets and would help distinguish the product against competing products.
Every chance of success
“If Irish farmers can identify specific products for which Ireland is famous and build a proposal around that, it has every chance of success.
"But let me stress that a quality Irish beef application cannot refer to all beef produced in Ireland,” he said.
“A PGI passes a message of quality and authenticity to consumers.
"I welcome that the Department met with DG AGRI experts and producers on 1 March in Dublin to discuss the conditions for a PGI proposal.”
The Navigating Global Trade Conference is brought to you by the Irish Farmers Journal and Grant Thornton and is supported by the European Commission. This is a citizen’s dialogue event.
Read more
Revealed: secret backdoor plan for Irish beef into Britain
‘Beggars belief’ - Hogan slams tariffs in no-deal Brexit
Listen: what no-deal Brexit tariffs will do to each sector
Department and EU in negotiation over no-deal interventions
Navigating Global Trade: there must be Brexit support for Irish farmers – Hogan
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