Irish grass-fed beef to gain protected geographical status 

The commission will this week announce its decision to include Irish grass-fed beef in the EU register, while Achill Sea Salt is to be given a protected designation of origin certification. This designation shows that an item is produced, processed, and developed in a specific area.

Geographical indications are a type of intellectual property, protecting food product names which are linked to a particular territory or to a production method.

The Irish push for a PGI had caused alarm among Northern farmers, who feared not being allowed to use the term Irish.

However, after three months of negotiations, it was agreed last summer that the protection would apply to all beef which comes from the island of Ireland.

The designations are part of an Irish push to designate more foods and products. This week, a process was begun to get a PGI for certified Irish Angus beef.

Defence Forces overseas

Also at Cabinet, Tánaiste Micheál Martin will seek approval for the continuation of the Irish Defence Forces’ participation in two missions abroad.

He will seek approval to continue the provision of up to five members of the Defence Forces for the UN-authorised mission Operation Althea in Bosnia and Herzegovina until December 31, 2024. The EU military mission, formerly known as EUFOR, was established under a UN Security Council resolution in November 2004.

The primary focus of the operation is on stability and security in the country, supporting the local authorities. A total of 20 countries, including EU member states and non-EU troop-contributing countries, are present in the mission.

The force is concentrated in Sarajevo, with liaison and observation teams deployed throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Mr Martin will also seek approval to continue Defence Forces participation in the UN Mine Action Service in Entebbe, Uganda. This would be on six-month rotations for a period of up to 24 months. The purpose of the deployment is to continue to deliver counter-improvised explosive devices training for troops deploying to UN peacekeeping missions.

Research centre funding

Meanwhile, Higher Education Minister Simon Harris is due to announce €70m in joint funding to establish two new research centres, based around food sustainability and climate change.

The funding, which is coming from Government departments in Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Britain, is due to be announced as part of the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference.

Ireland is due to contribute €40m, while the British government will contribute £12m (€13.8m) and the remaining £17m (€19.6m) will come from Northern Ireland’s Department of Agriculture.

Meanwhile, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has paid tribute to veteran Fine Gael TD Fergus O’Dowd, who has confirmed he will not contest the next general election. Mr O’Dowd has been a TD since 2002.