NI teams welcome progress on all-island PGI for grass-fed beef

The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) has welcomed this week’s information that the introduction of an all-island protected geographical indication (PGI) for ‘Irish Grass Fed Beef’ has come one step nearer.

UFU president David Brown confirmed that, in accordance with the European Fee, the amended software to register the PGI on an all-island foundation has efficiently met the regulatory necessities.

“Now, a three-month opposition interval in accordance with the [commission’s] outlined regulatory procedures shall be carried out. If all goes accordingly on this last stage, the PGI shall be formally registered later this yr,” he mentioned.

“The UFU lobbied to make sure Northern Eire could be a part of the Irish Grass Fed Beef PGI, and we’re optimistic that our farmers will be capable to profit from this deserved standing very quickly.

“Northern Eire’s beef farmers have confronted many challenges over the past variety of years and a PGI standing would supply a much-needed increase, highlighting the world-class beef that our farmers produce,” Brown added.

PGI standing

The UFU mentioned the particular indication would show native beef as a singular product throughout a time when NI now should compete on the world beef market.

The union defined that it’s going to give recognition to farmers who try to supply high quality beef to the best requirements and can assist to make sure farmers obtain a good economical return.

“Within the meantime, the UFU will proceed to work with business with the shared objective of making applicable processes that can enable native farmers to utilise the PGI as soon as it’s registered,” Brown continued.

In the meantime, Livestock and Meat Fee (LMC) chief govt, Ian Stevenson, has additionally welcomed the PGI-related developments.

“We’re happy with the replace coming from Brussels that the software for registration of ‘Irish Grass Fed Beef’ as a Protected Geographical Indication fulfils the regulatory circumstances,” he mentioned.

“The following step will see the European Fee undertake a three-month opposition  interval in accordance with its outlined regulatory procedures.

“Pending no reasoned notices of opposition to the appliance for registration being submitted throughout this time we’re hopeful that the PGI shall be registered later this yr.

“The credentials of a PGI are valued in lots of markets with over 3,500 geographical indications already registered by the European Fee protecting varied foodstuffs, agricultural merchandise, wines and spirit drinks produced in recognized areas. 

“Securing PGI standing for ‘Irish Grass Fed Beef’ might show to be a further advertising profit for processors promoting our world-class grass-fed beef.”

The LMC has acknowledged that whereas the PGI software progresses, it would proceed to work with business to develop the processes that should be put in place to allow use of the PGI after it’s registered.