More Irish agricultural products could benefit from EU quality mark - commissioner
Appearing on supermarket shelves in Italy in March, this was the first PGI beef product to be made available to consumers since the recognition was secured.
More Irish agricultural products could benefit from registration with an EU quality mark, according to Commissioner Mairead McGuinness.
Over 3,600 producers across Europe have the EU quality mark but only 13 are Irish.
These include Irish Grass Fed Beef, Achill Island Sea Salt, Oriel Sea Salt, Waterford Blaa, Connemara Hill Lamb, Sneem Black Pudding, Imokilly Regato, Irish Poitín, Irish Whiskey and Irish Cream.
According to the European Commission, the EU’s ‘geographical indications’ scheme was established to distinguish and publicise traditional products.
These symbols appear on product packaging and guarantee that an EU product is authentic, not an imitation or counterfeit, and serve to reinforce its national and international recognition.
Ms McGuinness is this week telling Irish producers "to be part of this success story by reflecting on the place of origin of Irish products, rediscovering what is special about them and valuing this".
"It could make a major contribution to the safeguarding of our Irish and European farming and culinary heritage now and for the future," the commissioner added.
Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue said that having a food or drink product registered as a geographical indication is a "wonderful way to tell the story of our culture and our heritage as well as our expertise in producing high-quality food and drink"
"I encourage any producer who believes that their product has unique characteristics linked to its geographical area of production to consider if it might qualify for an EU geographical indication.”
Last December, Ireland secured PGI status by the EU for Irish Grass Fed Beef.
Appearing on supermarket shelves in Italy in March, this was the first PGI beef product to be made available to consumers since the recognition was secured.
