Donegal Tweed and Irish craft industry needs to be ready to apply for EU special status – Boyle

New EU regulations for craft goods that are set to come into effect at the end of this year will help preserve vital indigenous Irish industries, such as the Donegal Tweed industry, a Fine Gael Senator has said, but warns that manufacturers need to do the groundwork before then.

Senator Manus Boyle said that while the introduction of Craft and Industrial Geographical Indication (CIGIs) in December is welcome, a fast-tracked measure is needed until then to prevent the sale of imitations.

“The EU has asked that member states put appropriate structures in place from 1^st December to process new protected geographical registrations, so we need to ensure that businesses are ready to apply and implement the new certification.

“Donegal Tweed has enjoyed success around the world, but the integrity of our tweed is at risk from manufacturers churning out cheaper imitations.

“We want consumers to know they’re buying a genuine fabric woven in Donegal, not a mass-produced item that has no ties to the county.

“We need to see products only be designated Donegal Tweed if it has been designed, warped, woven, inspected and dispatched in Co Donegal.

“We also need to see if there is any room for a fast-track process to see if we can get an interim protection in place before the applications begin for CIGI.

“Even when the CIGIs are introduced there could be a delay in getting the status and we don’t know how long it would be until the tweed is granted a CIGI. It has already been three years since the EU Commission announced a framework to protect craft products and we are still waiting.

“We need to ensure weavers and other businesses have complete understanding about the CIGIs and provide clarity as to how the new regulations will be implemented and how producers should apply.

“By protecting Donegal Tweed and other such businesses, we would be securing its future and ensuring future generations can continue their craft.

“Having met with the Chairperson of the Donegal Tweed Association alongside my colleague MEP Maria Walsh, I know how important it is to support our craftspeople in getting this protective status.

“We cannot see any craft so important to our heritage put under pressure from large retailers. We need to see the products get protected status urgently”, concluded Senator Boyle.