AQW 2684/22-27

Mr Declan McAleer
Sinn Féin
West Tyrone

Tabled Date: 03/08/2022
Answered On Date: 17/08/2022
Priority Written: Yes

Question:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs for an update on the all-island Protected Geographical Indicator scheme for beef; and whether he will consider a grass-fed beef and carbon footprint calculator.

Answer:

Following Defra’s opposition (on behalf of the NI beef industry) to Bord Bia’s application for Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status for ‘Irish Grass Fed Beef’, the European Commission invited both sides to enter into discussion to resolve the opposition. I’m pleased to confirm that agreement was reached on 11 July 2022 and a modified application, which now includes NI, was submitted to the European Commission on 3 August. In order to accommodate NI, a number of amendments were made.

The key ones were:

•Inclusion of NI practices for ensuring traceability of cattle;

•Inclusion of NI farming and slaughter practices; and

•Updating statistics on practices and the quality of beef to include NI.

The EC will scrutinise the modified documents and may seek amendment and/or clarification. Once the EC is satisfied, the application will undergo a new

opposition phase, where other Member States and Third Countries can oppose the application. Provided no admissible oppositions are raised, or those that are can be resolved, the EC will then grant the PGI on an all-island basis.

In order to verify the grass fed status of beef produced in Northern Ireland, industry has developed a grass-fed data standard which could potentially be recognised and verified through the use of a carbon footprint calculator.

My Department are currently gathering evidence to develop a policy for farm carbon auditing in Northern Ireland, part of this exercise will consider the use of carbon calculators to measure a farm carbon footprint.