Success of PGI 'can only be gauged by higher returns it delivers to farmers'
Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association beef chairman Edmund Graham has said that "there is now no excuse when Irish beef prices are not above the EU average".
The success of the PGI for 'Irish Grass Fed Beef' "can only be gauged by the higher returns it deliver to the farmers producing beef", a farm organisation has stressed.
Ireland has reached the final stages of establishing the PGI.
The European Commission has confirmed it has finalised the opposition procedure on the application for the PGI, which clears the way for the final stage of adoption and publication by the commission which it has advised should conclude by mid-December.
Under EU quality schemes, the names of products for which an intrinsic link exists between product qualities or characteristics and geographical origin are protected.
This PGI for Irish Grass Fed Beef will operate on an all-island basis.
The three-month opposition procedure closed on November 4. The commission has confirmed that no opposition was received and the application moves to the final stage of adoption and registration.
Pat McCormack, president of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association has said that achievement of the status "would represent a very significant acknowledgment of the quality of beef production systems in Ireland".
"ICMSA has strongly supported efforts to achieve EU recognition of the Irish beef production system, a system which is unique - not only in the EU – but possibly on a global basis," he said.
"It’s essential that we push that application through to a successful conclusion that delivers that PGI status and then ’springboard’ off this with a significant promotional campaign for Irish beef in early 2024.
"The success of all this effort can only be gauged by the higher returns it delivers to the farmers producing the beef."
Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association beef chairman Edmund Graham has said that the PGI status is delivering substantial premium bonuses to all sorts of EU products, and it is "now essential that we see this reflected in our beef offerings to EU outlets".
"Proof will be in the pudding in terms of price paid to farmers. ICSA will expect to see the 70c/kg fall in price, since May, reversed in the coming months and the PGI status must be aggressively used to achieve this," Mr Graham said.
The ICSA said it will also insist that there is a monitoring group established in line with commitments made to ICSA at the Beef Taskforce "which would ensure that farmer representatives have a decisive say in the use of the PGI brand".
"The whole point of PGI is to recognise and monetise the work and unique specialisation of the primary producer based on tradition or geographical region," Mr Graham added.
Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue described the PGI progression as a "major milestone" in the application.
"This is tremendous news and is a huge endorsement of the qualities and sustainability of our grass-fed beef," Mr McConalogue said.
Bord Bia chief executive Jim O'Toole said achieving PGI status "has been a long-held ambition for the Irish beef industry".
"Bord Bia has been preparing for PGI status over several years, from submitting the application to conducting market intelligence to best understand attitudes to PGIs," Mr O'Toole said.
"We have marketing plans in development and will leverage this opportunity for the benefit of Irish beef farmers and the wider beef sector."
