An all-island PGI for grass-fed beef “may not be practical at this time,” a spokesperson for the Republic of Ireland’s Department of Agriculture has told the Irish Farmers Journal.

Last week, it was revealed that the Northern Ireland beef industry wants to include all cattle from the island in the PGI. “The Department considers that a joint application may not be practical at this time, because Northern Ireland does not currently have a grass-fed verification system in place. Department officials are in ongoing contact with their colleagues in DAERA in relation to this issue,” the spokesperson said.

Bord Bia met with the Livestock and Meat Commission a few months ago to discuss its approach to the PGI.

“The current draft application refers to ROI only as that represents the extent of our and DAFM’s remit,” a Bord Bia spokesperson said.