Minister’s invitation to engage with UK on PGI application for Irish Grass Fed Beef

Charlie McConalogue TD, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, announced recently that, following its scrutiny of a submission by the United Kingdom to the EU/ third country opposition procedure for the

Irish Grass Fed Beef PGI application, the European Commission has invited both parties to engage in appropriate consultations and to inform the Commission of the results of these consultations.

Minister McConalogue said: "My Department along with An Bord Bia are currently examining the reasoned statement of opposition submitted by the UK. For some time now, my Department and An Bord Bia have fully engaged with their counterparts in Northern Ireland to share information and provide advice on the technical aspects of a grass fed standard and related matters associated with the possibility of having an all island PGI for Irish Grass Fed Beef. I welcome the opportunity now for both parties to engage to progress and finalise this work.”

Minister McConalogue added: “The PGI application and product specification has been subject to scrutiny by the European Commission, EU Member States and third countries. The European Commission has not been advised of any other opposition.

“I believe that the success in getting the application to this stage of the process demonstrates the quality of the product specification that was drafted by Bord Bia in consultation with my officials and which took account of engagement with our farming representative bodies through our national opposition procedure.”

Minister McConalogue concluded: “I am hopeful that the engagement between both parties can be progressed quickly. I am excited to see the Irish Grass Fed Beef come to fruition for the benefit of our beef farmers on the island."