A national consultation process in relation to an application to make “Wexford blackcurrants” a protected food is under way.
The application is for Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status for the blackcurrants, under an EU quality regime.
The system protects the geographical names of certain foods which have a tangible link to the area after which they are named.
Protection “is absolute” and extends to translations of the name, evocation, misuse or imitation. The application says the “specific climatic and soil conditions produce Wexford’s blackcurrants with distinctive sweetness”.
Ireland currently has five such food products: Clare Island Salmon, Connemara Hill Lamb, Imokilly Regato, Timoleague Brown Pudding and the Waterford Blaa.