Irish 'Boxty' Producers Seek Similar Status To Champagne And Parma Ham

Irish boxty producers are hoping that the country’s grated potato pancake will win the EU’s protecte…

Irish boxty producers are hoping that the country’s grated potato pancake will win the EU’s protected geographical indication (PGI) status.

If successful, the award will mean the tasty potato-based product could share the PGI status to well-known products such as champagne and Parma ham.

According to a report in the Irish Times, Independent MEP Marian Harkin met with a number of Irish boxty producers this week to investigate how the potato product could win the coveted EU designation.

If granted, the name “boxty” would only be given to products made in a specific region of Ireland, and by using an approved production method. Recipe variations include frying boxty on the pan and baking it in the oven.

Over 1,000 agricultural products have already been registered with PGI status, or a similar status known as protected designation of origin (PDO) status, by the EU.

Recent Irish additions to PGI status include Clare Island salmon, Connemara hill lamb and Timoleague brown pudding.