Proposals currently being pursued by Bord Bia and the Department of Agriculture to develop a grass-fed beef PGI will undermine the development of a suckler beef brand, the Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association (INHFA) has said.
The organisation has subsequently written to An Taoiseach and acting Minister for Agriculture Micheál Martin to reconvene the Beef Market Taskforce (BMT) in order to discuss the proposed PGI status for Irish grass-fed beef.
National president Colm O’Donnell said: “There is an urgency to ensure any such meeting is held well in advance of the 11 September deadline for opposition and submissions to the current PGI proposal.
“This will allow adequate time to address major issues relating to possible impact on suckler production.”
No meeting
The INHFA president highlighted that all farm organisations were to be consulted on plans to develop an Irish beef brand.
“Bord Bia was to be the starting point in ongoing engagement with farming organisations, which has not been the case.”
Naturally reared suckler beef is a superior product
O’Donnell warned that developing a PGI status for grass-fed beef will see the subsidisation of dairy produced beef by suckler farmers.
“We should look to develop two PGI brands, one for naturally reared suckler beef and one for dairy produced beef.
“Naturally reared suckler beef is a superior product in terms of carcase quality and most importantly in relation to the way the animal is reared.”
Read more
Concerns over Irish grass-fed beef PGI and Bord Bia grass-fed standard
A PGI built around farmers should be owned by farmers
PGI and Bord Bia grass-fed standard: your questions answered
Proposals currently being pursued by Bord Bia and the Department of Agriculture to develop a grass-fed beef PGI will undermine the development of a suckler beef brand, the Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association (INHFA) has said.
The organisation has subsequently written to An Taoiseach and acting Minister for Agriculture Micheál Martin to reconvene the Beef Market Taskforce (BMT) in order to discuss the proposed PGI status for Irish grass-fed beef.
National president Colm O’Donnell said: “There is an urgency to ensure any such meeting is held well in advance of the 11 September deadline for opposition and submissions to the current PGI proposal.
“This will allow adequate time to address major issues relating to possible impact on suckler production.”
No meeting
The INHFA president highlighted that all farm organisations were to be consulted on plans to develop an Irish beef brand.
“Bord Bia was to be the starting point in ongoing engagement with farming organisations, which has not been the case.”
Naturally reared suckler beef is a superior product
O’Donnell warned that developing a PGI status for grass-fed beef will see the subsidisation of dairy produced beef by suckler farmers.
“We should look to develop two PGI brands, one for naturally reared suckler beef and one for dairy produced beef.
“Naturally reared suckler beef is a superior product in terms of carcase quality and most importantly in relation to the way the animal is reared.”
Read more
Concerns over Irish grass-fed beef PGI and Bord Bia grass-fed standard
A PGI built around farmers should be owned by farmers
PGI and Bord Bia grass-fed standard: your questions answered
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