More than 200 foods unique to Europe went on display yesterday in Dublin. They have been officially granted such status because of their area of origin or specific characteristics, and are now protected by EU directive.
Irish products were nowhere to be found among the Belgian fromage de Herve, British Newcastle brown ale and French camem- bert de Normandie, because none is registered as a "speciality food" - though a number of applications have been made to the Department of Agriculture and Food, which oversees the scheme in Ireland.
The absence of Irish foods may be due to Ireland not having a tradition of food protection existing in mainland Europe or a cachet similar to the appellation controlee mark in France, according to Mr Raymond Keane, deputy director of the European Commission in Ireland. The exhibition, which is free of charge, continues today at the EU Centre, Dawson Street.
