The lengthy process for seeking Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status for boxty is still underway.

Boxty is a traditional Irish potato-based pancake which is mostly associated with the north midlands, north Connacht and southern Ulster.

Since the early 1990s, regional and local agricultural products have been protected through geographical indications and other EU quality schemes.

There are around 4,000 food and drink items with a geographical indication registered across the EU.

Geographical indications (GIs) are intellectual property rights and as such, provide legal protection for products against imitation and misuse.

GIs include protected designations of origin (PDO), and protected geographical indications (PGI and GI for spirit drinks).

PGI application

A spokesperson for the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) said that in order to be registered, a PGI application must follow the procedures set out in the relevant EU regulations.

"The department has been engaging with the applicant group of boxty producers regarding their application for PGI status to ensure that it meets the regulatory requirements," the spokesperson said.

"The next step in the procedure for the boxty application, once the application is finalised, is the national opposition procedure, which provides for any natural or legal person having a legitimate interest to lodge an opposition to the application."

European Commission

Following assessment of any oppositions received, if the department considers that the regulatory requirements are met, it may submit the application to the European Commission.

"Applications will then be scrutinised by the European Commission and if deemed appropriate by the commission, an opposition procedure at member state / third country level will be undertaken," the DAFM spokesperson added.

The department said it is still in the process of "exchanging documents with the applicants and conducting the needed assessments prior to the opposition window".

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon said recently that he is "very supportive" of PGI applications such as this, as they "add value to our agri-food products as well as highlighting their heritage".