Two beef farmer-dominated organisations have formally lodged their opposition to the Department of Agriculture’s planned application for Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status for Irish grass-fed beef.
The Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association (ICSA) and the Irish ?Natura and Hill Farmers Association (INHFA) have submitted oppositions to the application, citing a lack of consultation and debate with farmers.
Ireland’s application, as it currently stands, would exclude all bulls and older dairy-bred cows, but would include prime steers and heifers of all breeds and beef-bred cows, as long as they meet the grass-fed criteria. Friday 11 September was the deadline to submit a reasoned statement of opposition to the PGI application.
INHFA president Colm O’Donnell told the Irish Farmers Journal: “We were left with no choice in the matter, because of the lack of consultation and debate on the application.
“Suckler farmers see this grass-fed PGI as a threat to their naturally-reared product and as being driven by processors and the dairy industry.”
The president has called for a resolution to the dispute to be found at the next sitting of the beef taskforce.
ICSA suckler committee chair Ger O’Brien said it opposed the “one size fits all application because it is too diluted and undermines the potential to get a premium price for specialist suckler beef production.?
“We insist that there needs to be a full consultation with farmer representatives to agree a strategy for PGI going forward before this application is progressed any further.”
The ICSA warned that the potential to achieve a premium price for suckler beef is compromised by the application in its current format.
“This application represents a missed opportunity to build a brand around suckler beef,” O’Brien said.
Meanwhile, Irish Beef Producers, the beef producer group, is to submit a PGI for “natural Irish beef” to the Department of Agriculture.
Read more
INHFA lodges opposition to grass-fed beef PGI application
Restrictions on bulls and journey time in 'Irish Grass Fed Beef' standard
ICSA lodges opposition to grass-fed beef PGI application
Two beef farmer-dominated organisations have formally lodged their opposition to the Department of Agriculture’s planned application for Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status for Irish grass-fed beef.
The Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association (ICSA) and the Irish ?Natura and Hill Farmers Association (INHFA) have submitted oppositions to the application, citing a lack of consultation and debate with farmers.
Ireland’s application, as it currently stands, would exclude all bulls and older dairy-bred cows, but would include prime steers and heifers of all breeds and beef-bred cows, as long as they meet the grass-fed criteria. Friday 11 September was the deadline to submit a reasoned statement of opposition to the PGI application.
INHFA president Colm O’Donnell told the Irish Farmers Journal: “We were left with no choice in the matter, because of the lack of consultation and debate on the application.
“Suckler farmers see this grass-fed PGI as a threat to their naturally-reared product and as being driven by processors and the dairy industry.”
The president has called for a resolution to the dispute to be found at the next sitting of the beef taskforce.
ICSA suckler committee chair Ger O’Brien said it opposed the “one size fits all application because it is too diluted and undermines the potential to get a premium price for specialist suckler beef production.?
“We insist that there needs to be a full consultation with farmer representatives to agree a strategy for PGI going forward before this application is progressed any further.”
The ICSA warned that the potential to achieve a premium price for suckler beef is compromised by the application in its current format.
“This application represents a missed opportunity to build a brand around suckler beef,” O’Brien said.
Meanwhile, Irish Beef Producers, the beef producer group, is to submit a PGI for “natural Irish beef” to the Department of Agriculture.
Read more
INHFA lodges opposition to grass-fed beef PGI application
Restrictions on bulls and journey time in 'Irish Grass Fed Beef' standard
ICSA lodges opposition to grass-fed beef PGI application
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