LMC welcomes the development of the PGI status for Irish grass-fed beef
The Livestock and Meat Commission (LMC) said it welcomed confirmation by the European Commission that the application to register Irish grass-fed beef as a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) has progressed to the final stage.
Colin Smith, interim chief executive of the LMC, said: “In August, the European Commission launched the PGI/third country member state opposition procedure. This has now ended with no opposition being lodged in relation to the application. This means that Irish Grass Fed Beef PGI will move To the final stage of adoption and registration.
Procedural steps to approve and register the RBI beef PGI on an all-island basis are now being taken, and the LMC expects the PGI to be approved and published by mid-December.
“This is a very positive development that will enhance the quality of beef produced here,” Smith said. “It is also recognition of the unwavering commitment of our farmers to producing high-quality, grass-fed beef for consumers in domestic and international markets.”
“PGI’s credentials are appreciated in many markets and we are pleased that, pending final certification procedures, Irish grass-fed beef will join the more than 3,500 geographical indications already registered by the European Commission.”
Smith also acknowledged that the “successful journey” to this stage of the PGI process has been thanks to government and industry collaboration working on both sides of the border.
He said: “I would like to pay tribute to the positive and collaborative approach taken by colleagues at Bord Bia as we worked through the proposed amendments to the original PGI application to ensure that Northern Ireland was included in the geographical scope of the application.
“I must also pay tribute to the broad support from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) which has seen the Irish Grass Fed Beef PGI successfully reach the point of registration.
“As the PGI application progresses through its final phase, LMC will continue to work with stakeholders to secure resources to develop the processes that must be implemented to enable its use once registered.”
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