Poitín safe from rivals

The unique protective “geographical indications” (GI) status sought for Irish poitín is safe for now from any potential EU competitors, Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney has indicated.

Ireland first applied for GI status for Irish poitín/Irish poteen in 2008. Fianna Fáil’s Éamon Ó Cuív asked Mr Coveney if the drink’s status is protected, should the EU receive a GI application for a poitín produced in another country.

Mr Ó Cuív asked: “[Will] inclusion of the word ‘Irish’ before poitín/poteen leave it open to other countries to apply for GI status; for example, for Scotch poitín or German poitín and so on, as happened in the case of whiskey.