Protected status for local salmon

The consultation process was launched recently for the application of ‘Irish Salmon’ for registration as a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI).

Geographical Indications, such as those used on Greek Yoghurt or Cornish Pasties, are intended to highlight special qualities of the products through indication of their origin and to preserve cultural traditions. Granting of this intellectual property protection to ‘Irish Salmon’ would mean that this name could only be used by producers of the product within the specified region.

Locally, the Roe Anglers have been working extremely hard over the years to protect Irish salmon in the River Roe from over fishing, and were amongst the first angling groups in Ireland to introduce a ‘catch and release’ policy.

In fact, the conservation work of the local angling club was highlighted as an example of good practice at Stormont this year, with particular attention being paid to their conservation work to preserve Atlantic salmon stocks.

During an assembly debate over the issue of illegal fishing, the “unofficial” catch-and-release policy adopted by anglers in the Roe Valley area was pointed out as worthy of special praise. According to a research paper published by The Northern Ireland Assembly Research and Information Service (NIARIS) just months ago, salmon stocks in the Roe have exceeded “conservation limits” every year since 2002. The research paper sets out that the levels of “egg deposition” and the numbers of adult salmon returning to spawn each winter are used to monitor the percentage of compliance. For these measures, the River Roe was among the highest performing rivers included in the study in terms of meeting their conservation targets.

Commenting on the application for protected status for Irish Salmon, Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Michelle O’Neill said: “This is the first all Ireland application for protected name status for a food product. My Department has worked closely with the Department of Agriculture Food and The Marine (DAFM) to get the application to this stage.

“A product, such as the Irish Salmon, receiving PGI registration would be good news for the agri food sector and would help local suppliers to market the product domestically and further afield, and would also provide protection against imitation.”

In the past 12 months New Season Comber Potatoes, Lough Neagh Eels and Armagh Bramley Apples have all been granted PGI status.

Interested parties in responding to the consultation have a period of 12 weeks ending on Tuesday, 9 of October 2012 to submit their comments in writing. Anyone with a legitimate interest may lodge an objection.

Both specifications and additional information are available on the DARD website at http://www.dardni.gov.uk/index/consultations/active-consultations/irish-salmon.htm