The two-hour journey limit prior to slaughter will have the effect of inhibiting free choice in which factory a farmer chooses to do business with, livestock and environment executive with the Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS) Ray Doyle said.
Ireland’s application for an EU-approved protected geographical indication (PGI) for Irish grass-fed beef includes a two-hour journey limit prior to slaughter.
Concerning proposal
ICOS has described the proposal as very concerning. Doyle continued: “Some factories specialise in receiving particular weights and sizes of animals and not all of these will be within a two-hour drive of a relevant farm.”
“There appears to be a stipulation in the proposal that animals must be transported by a licensed haulier, which is limiting.”
ICOS has said it will be contacting Bord Bia to seek further clarification on the proposed two-hour journey limit prior to slaughter.
Doyle concluded: “We appreciate that Bord Bia is seeking to promote the natural and sustainable origins of Irish beef but this particular measure, should be ruled out.”
Defining grass fed
Irish grass-fed beef is the name given to beef raised on a grass-based diet on pasture-grazing farms and applies to cattle born, raised, finished, slaughtered, chilled and quartered in Ireland.
The PGI will only include cattle that derive at least 90% of their feed intake from grass and spend a minimum of 220 days per year throughout their lifetime grazing pasture, as determined by the Bord Bia Grass Fed Beef Standard.
SHARING OPTIONS