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Simon Coveney, TD Minister for Agriculture Food and the Marine, at this evening's launch event in Waterford expressed delight at the inclusion of Waterford Blaa/ Blaa as a Protected Geographical Indication in the exclusive list of protected food names in the EU .

“This is no small achievement for the Waterford Blaa bakers. A PGI is a symbol of quality within Europe and quality is an issue for every food producer and consumer. EU quality schemes identify foodstuffs produced to exacting specifications with proven links to the geographical area in which they are produced.”

The Minister added “The publication of the Waterford Blaa/Blaa registration follows close engagement between the Waterford Blaa Bakers Association, my Department and the European Commission. I strongly encourage other groups of food producers to come together to see if your local foods could also qualify for the EU register of protected food names and to work with my Department on presenting the best possible case for recognition”.

“The Blaa Bakers are an example to all that Irish products can achieve success at the highest level. I hope others will follow as we celebrate tonight with other pioneers – Connemara Hill Lamb and Imokilly Regato. It can be done and we want more groups of producers to take on the challenge. ”