Bord Bia is dragging its heels and failing to assist the creation of an all-island Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) for grass fed beef, Sinn Féin MEP Chris MacManus has said.

Sinn Féin has voiced concerns that the current PGI application won’t deliver for farmers.

MacManus said: “The work of stakeholders has been hampered due to a lack of effective engagement from Bord Bia. These stakeholders believe this is holding up the whole process, with no end in sight."

All island

The Sinn Féin MEP has said it is essential the PGI application include farmers in the Northern Ireland.

Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue responded by saying that a grass-fed verification system must be in place in the north, before farmers there can be included.

MacManus continued: “I have no issue with this and stakeholders in the north have begun the work of creating such a verification system. Agriculture is highly integrated across the island and cattle in the north are raised to the same standards.

“The Irish Government is turning a blind eye to the situation. This is a haphazard approach and may result in stakeholders in the north objecting to the Irish Government’s application until the issue is resolved.

“I will be writing to the European Commission this week to ascertain whether adding the north at a later date is likely to be problematic.”

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