With the consultation closed on the final draft of the PGI application, it is now ready to proceed to the next stage - submission to the EU for consideration.
It goes ahead without either young bulls or Northern Ireland (NI) being included, but with a clear indication that these can be revisited later.
NI opposition
The threat of opposition from the Ulster Farmers Union (UFU) in NI appears to have reduced somewhat following a meeting last week between the agriculture ministers north and south, plus the engagement of Bord Bia in getting the formalisation of an NI grass-fed standard in place.
They haven’t withdrawn the threat completely, although they did say this week that following the ministers’ meeting they have taken the position of objecting to the Irish application would be the last resort, but want to see a commitment to include NI in the PGI and for both governments to commit to achieving this.
The legislation that covers PGI application has provision for objections to be raised by either other EU member states or third countries as part of the EU consideration process.
An objection coming from NI would damage the application, though the EU could well decide to allow the PGI even with the objection.
Similarly, there is no guarantee that the EU will grant the PGI in any case. There are only a handful of PGIs on the island of Ireland and part of their exclusivity is that they are quite difficult to obtain.
Best course of action for NI
Irrespective of how the application process got to this point, very careful consideration should be given to exercising the right to formally object.
There is understandable frustration in NI at being left behind in this process, but what needs to be considered now is what is best for farmers in the long term.
Making an objection would create an opportunity for expression of the frustration and there may even be a level of satisfaction if the application was to fail or be withdrawn.
Yet this would be of no benefit to farmers either side of the border.
Undertaking
The NI Minister has robustly communicated the views of farmers and the wider industry on the matter and these have been understood by his counterpart in Dublin.
Minister Mc Conalogue has given a firm undertaking that when the grass-fed standard is in place, he would be supporting extension to include NI.
This is a cumbersome process, but the incentive is there because the biggest beneficiaries of a future PGI grass-fed brand would be cattle that were born in the Republic of Ireland but finished on NI farms and processed in NI factories.
Keeping cattle flowing north is a very important market outlet for Republic of Ireland farmers and modern online mart bidding further facilitates this.
Destination not the journey is what matters
Therefore, the best course of action for NI is build on the work started with Bord Bia to get the grass-fed standard in place and proactively support the bid as it stands in Brussels.
Going the extra step and expressing this support by way of a letter from the NI minister to the European Commission expressing this support would also be an idea.
It would enhance the application and, in the process, could highlight the ambition to be part of it in future and also referencing the Irish minister’s letter of support for future extension to include NI.
Doing this would have the effect of making NI associated with the application in a positive way and, in the process, lock in the commitment for extension when the grass-fed standard is in place.
Ultimately, it is the destination of securing the PGI that is important for farmers on the island of Ireland, not the route taken to get there.
Read more
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Irish Grass Fed Beef PGI ready for Commission approval
With the consultation closed on the final draft of the PGI application, it is now ready to proceed to the next stage - submission to the EU for consideration.
It goes ahead without either young bulls or Northern Ireland (NI) being included, but with a clear indication that these can be revisited later.
NI opposition
The threat of opposition from the Ulster Farmers Union (UFU) in NI appears to have reduced somewhat following a meeting last week between the agriculture ministers north and south, plus the engagement of Bord Bia in getting the formalisation of an NI grass-fed standard in place.
They haven’t withdrawn the threat completely, although they did say this week that following the ministers’ meeting they have taken the position of objecting to the Irish application would be the last resort, but want to see a commitment to include NI in the PGI and for both governments to commit to achieving this.
The legislation that covers PGI application has provision for objections to be raised by either other EU member states or third countries as part of the EU consideration process.
An objection coming from NI would damage the application, though the EU could well decide to allow the PGI even with the objection.
Similarly, there is no guarantee that the EU will grant the PGI in any case. There are only a handful of PGIs on the island of Ireland and part of their exclusivity is that they are quite difficult to obtain.
Best course of action for NI
Irrespective of how the application process got to this point, very careful consideration should be given to exercising the right to formally object.
There is understandable frustration in NI at being left behind in this process, but what needs to be considered now is what is best for farmers in the long term.
Making an objection would create an opportunity for expression of the frustration and there may even be a level of satisfaction if the application was to fail or be withdrawn.
Yet this would be of no benefit to farmers either side of the border.
Undertaking
The NI Minister has robustly communicated the views of farmers and the wider industry on the matter and these have been understood by his counterpart in Dublin.
Minister Mc Conalogue has given a firm undertaking that when the grass-fed standard is in place, he would be supporting extension to include NI.
This is a cumbersome process, but the incentive is there because the biggest beneficiaries of a future PGI grass-fed brand would be cattle that were born in the Republic of Ireland but finished on NI farms and processed in NI factories.
Keeping cattle flowing north is a very important market outlet for Republic of Ireland farmers and modern online mart bidding further facilitates this.
Destination not the journey is what matters
Therefore, the best course of action for NI is build on the work started with Bord Bia to get the grass-fed standard in place and proactively support the bid as it stands in Brussels.
Going the extra step and expressing this support by way of a letter from the NI minister to the European Commission expressing this support would also be an idea.
It would enhance the application and, in the process, could highlight the ambition to be part of it in future and also referencing the Irish minister’s letter of support for future extension to include NI.
Doing this would have the effect of making NI associated with the application in a positive way and, in the process, lock in the commitment for extension when the grass-fed standard is in place.
Ultimately, it is the destination of securing the PGI that is important for farmers on the island of Ireland, not the route taken to get there.
Read more
Bord Bia warns PGI approval could take six months
PGI must deliver price premium for farmers – IFA
Irish Grass Fed Beef PGI ready for Commission approval
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