PGI for beef – ‘you don’t simply get it on the premise of a superb story’

“You don’t simply get this on the premise of a superb story.” These are the phrases of beef sector supervisor with Bord Bia, Mark Zieg, who was talking in regards to the protected geographical indication (PGI) software for ‘Irish Grass Fed Beef’ on the AgriFocus podcast by Agriland.

Zieg defined that the European Fee wants proof and proof from candidates {that a} specific product has the distinctive qualities that differentiate it from different merchandise available on the market.

Earlier this month, the European Fee’s revealed the all-island software for a PGI for ‘Irish Grass Fed Beef’.

EU high quality coverage goals to guard the names of particular merchandise to advertise their distinctive traits, linked to their geographical origin in addition to conventional know-how.

Product names might be granted a ‘geographical indication’ (GI) if they’ve a selected hyperlink to the place the place they’re made.

The GI recognition allows shoppers to belief and distinguish high quality merchandise whereas additionally serving to producers to market their merchandise higher.

PGI software course of

Stressing that the European Fee is sort of discerning when figuring out if a product ought to obtain PGI standing, Zieg stated: “You have got to have the ability to show these factors that you simply make as the important thing qualities that differentiate your product and make it distinctive and make it protectable.

“That is the factor in the end. That is almost like a trademark, it needs to be distinctive and protectable.”

The preliminary software for PGI standing was a joint venture between Bord Bia and the Division of Agriculture, Meals and the Marine, nevertheless Northern Eire wished to be included within the PGI proposal, so the appliance was resubmitted as an all-island prospect.

“Irish beef is produced north of the border as properly [as southern Ireland] and has bought properly in Europe,” Zieg continued.

“Now we have accounts through the years… the place Irish beef and Irish grass-fed beef from each side of the border would have been produced [for European markets].

“Our counterparts up there [NI] are engaged on placing these proofs in place.

“We have been lucky I suppose, by way of… that is Irish Grass Fed Beef, we now have the grass-fed customary right here and that’s the principle provable requirement for the PGI, which is the grass-fed customary – 90% grass-fed within the weight loss plan,” Zieg informed AgriFocus.

The Bord Bia consultant stated Northern Eire is at present engaged on getting an identical high quality assured customary up and operating to match the Origin Inexperienced customary.

Ready sport

After the publication of the PGI software earlier this month by the European Fee, the method stays open to opposition from different international locations for a interval of three months.

Bord Bia is optimistic that the PGI for Irish Grass Fed Beef will probably be registered on the finish of the general public session however has not dominated out the potential of objections.

“We might get objections right here. That may not be uncommon or wouldn’t be insurmountable,” Zieg defined.

“We must deal with these to the satisfaction of the fee. We didn’t get them [objections] the final time, we might hope that might be very a lot the case however we are able to’t pre-judge that,” Zieg acknowledged.

You’ll be able to hearken to the complete interview with Mark Zieg on the AgriFocus podcast by clicking right here.