IFA president Tim Cullinan has stressed that more farmer consultation is required before Bord Bia ploughs ahead with proposed criteria for protected geographical indicator (PGI) status for Irish grass-fed beef.
In particular, Cullinan said the proposal should include bull beef.
“It is wrong that all bulls are being deemed ineligible for the grass-fed standard even if they can meet the criteria. There needs to be more clarity on how the criteria are being applied and calculated,” he said.
During meat factory protests last year, there were strong calls from farmers for PGI status for beef, which they felt would give them an edge in markets.
While the proposal is still being finalised, the Irish Farmers Journal understands the following will be included:
The majority of feed from grass (90% grass or grass forage throughout the animal’s lifetime).Spend greater part of their life grazing (minimum of 220 days per year).Steers and heifers up to 36 months of age, Grade O- or better and fat score 2+ to 4+.Beef cows up to 120 months with conformation of O+ or better and fat score 2+ to 5.Born, reared, finished and slaughtered in the geographical area.Crying out
IFA livestock chair Brendan Golden said that the organisation needed more time to consult its members and discuss the proposals.
“Beef farmers are crying out for clear direction on beef marketing and branding, that will deliver a viable price return,” he said.
“Exploiting our grass-fed image more could be of real value, but farmers’ experience to date is that complying with standards has been used negatively rather than positively in terms of a higher beef price. We need to get this right and farmers need to be centrally involved.”
Read more
New grass-fed beef logo on the table
Watch: Farm Tech Talk - grass deficits, dosing calves and MartBids
IFA president Tim Cullinan has stressed that more farmer consultation is required before Bord Bia ploughs ahead with proposed criteria for protected geographical indicator (PGI) status for Irish grass-fed beef.
In particular, Cullinan said the proposal should include bull beef.
“It is wrong that all bulls are being deemed ineligible for the grass-fed standard even if they can meet the criteria. There needs to be more clarity on how the criteria are being applied and calculated,” he said.
During meat factory protests last year, there were strong calls from farmers for PGI status for beef, which they felt would give them an edge in markets.
While the proposal is still being finalised, the Irish Farmers Journal understands the following will be included:
The majority of feed from grass (90% grass or grass forage throughout the animal’s lifetime).Spend greater part of their life grazing (minimum of 220 days per year).Steers and heifers up to 36 months of age, Grade O- or better and fat score 2+ to 4+.Beef cows up to 120 months with conformation of O+ or better and fat score 2+ to 5.Born, reared, finished and slaughtered in the geographical area.Crying out
IFA livestock chair Brendan Golden said that the organisation needed more time to consult its members and discuss the proposals.
“Beef farmers are crying out for clear direction on beef marketing and branding, that will deliver a viable price return,” he said.
“Exploiting our grass-fed image more could be of real value, but farmers’ experience to date is that complying with standards has been used negatively rather than positively in terms of a higher beef price. We need to get this right and farmers need to be centrally involved.”
Read more
New grass-fed beef logo on the table
Watch: Farm Tech Talk - grass deficits, dosing calves and MartBids
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