Achill Island Sea Salt a step closer to protected EU status

Achill Island Sea Salt moved a step closer to joining the likes of champagne, Stilton blue cheese and other esteemed ranks of food and drink products by being designated EU protected status.

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine welcomed the European Commission’s recent publication for a three-month Member State/third country opposition procedure of the application for a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) for 'Achill Island Sea Salt'.

'Achill Island Sea Salt' is the name given to a hand harvested sea salt from the waters around Achill Island, Co Mayo, Ireland.

The Department of Agriculture launched the application to register 'Achill Island Sea Salt' as a PDO in August 2020 along with 'Irish Grass Fed Beef' as the name given to quality Irish beef raised on a grass based diet on pasture grazing farms in Ireland.

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue TD, welcomed the European Commission’s recent publication for a three-month Member State/third country opposition procedure of the application for a PDO for 'Achill Island Sea Salt'.

“I am delighted that the European Commission has finalised its scrutiny of the PDO application for 'Achill Island Sea Salt' and that the application has reached this stage of the procedure. The publication is a requirement under EU rules,” he said.

The publication of the application represents the next phase of consultation on the application for PDO status for 'Achill Island Sea Salt'. It is now open to other Member States and third countries having a legitimate interest to make submissions on the application with the Commission, within a three-month period from the date of publication.

Minister McConalogue added: “The PDO application for 'Achill Island Sea Salt' indicates the preservation of traditional production methods, promoting heritage and supporting local economies. I commend all those who have been involved in bringing the application to this stage.”

Achill Island Sea Salt was founded by Marjorie and Kieran O'Malley in their home in Keel on Achill Island in 2013. The product quickly became a favourite for chefs for its 'soft flaky texture' and has won numerous culinary awards. In recent years the O'Malley's moved the production of Achill Island Sea Salt from their home to a new factory in Bunnacurry on Achill Island which also offers guided tours in the summer season.