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Comber spud wins protected status in Europe

New Season Comber Potatoes have become the second product from the north of Ireland to have been granted Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status under EU law.
~ Wednesday, 25 January 2012

PGI status recognises the regional importance and distinctive characteristics of this variety, and means that only new season potatoes harvested from the fields of Comber and the surrounding area can be marketed as New Season Comber Potatoes/Comber Earlies.

PGI legislation came into force in 1993 and provides for a system for the protection of food names on a geographical or traditional recipe basis. The scheme highlights regional and traditional foods whose authenticity and origin can be guaranteed. Under this system a named food or drink registered at a European level will be given legal protection against imitation throughout the EU. Other protected food and drink products across Europe include, Champagne, Parma Ham and Feta Cheese and earlier this year, Lough Neagh Eels was the first product in the north of Ireland to secure PGI status.

Welcoming the announcement, Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Michelle O’Neill MLA said: “New Season Combers/Comber Earlies are famed throughout the north or Ireland for being the earliest local potato to be harvested and for their unique characteristics. We are justifiably proud of the quality of our locally produced food and it is encouraging to have our products recognised internationally. PGI registration is good news for the local economy and will help local growers to market New Season Combers domestically and further afield and protect against imitation. It will also build consumer confidence in this product by providing reassurance of its provenance.

“I would like to congratulate the Potato Stakeholder Forum who worked with my Department to develop their application under the Protected Food Names Scheme.”

Angus Wilson, of the NI Potato Stakeholders Forum added: “Securing the Protected Geographical Indication is a real achievement for the growers in the Comber area and the Potato Stakeholder Forum has been pleased to help them apply for this award. This EC recognition will allow the industry to market Comber Earlies with renewed confidence, particularly in the domestic market, and may also encourage some producers to seek to develop markets further afield. It is a real testament to New Season Combers that within an island known for potatoes, they can be identified as having unique characteristics.”

Notes to editors:

  1. Details of the scheme, including a full list of registered products can also be found on the EU website.
  2. A full text of the application to register “New Season Comber Potatoes / Comber Earlies” can be found on the EU Journal website.
  3. For media enquiries please contact DARD Press Office on 028 9052 4619 or pressoffice.group@dardni.gov.uk. Out of office hours contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.