asked the Minister for Health the present position regarding the implementation of the EC Directive on the official inspection of foodstuffs; in relation to this directive (a) the changes which this will bring about in food inspection in Ireland, (b) whether he envisages a situation whereby Ireland will be in a position to prepare forward programmes laying down the nature and frequency of inspections on an ongoing basis, (c) whether the three Government Departments in Ireland, which have an interest in food law enforcement will be in a position to present co-ordinated programmes of inspections on an ongoing basis, (d) the proposed make-up of the competent authorities appointed for the purpose of food inspection and (e) the estimated recruitment necessary to comply with the directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - EC Directive on Foodstuffs.
Following its second reading by the European Parliament the draft directive on the official inspection of foodstuffs was resubmitted to the Council and is likely to be considered by the Council on the internal market in June next.
As regards the specific points raised by the Deputy in relation to the proposals the position is as follows: (a) Under existing food legislation samples of foodstuffs are offered for sale to the consumer, i.e. at retail level. The draft directive provides for sampling at all stages of production, manufacture, import into the Community, processing, storage, transport, distribution and trade. (b) The draft directive provides that member states shall draw up forward programmes laying down the nature and frequency of the inspections to be carried out regularly over a specific period and this country will be in a position to comply with these requirements. (c) My Department will be in consultation with the other Departments concerned with a view to drawing up food inspection programmes and coordinating activities. (d) A number of Government Departments have responsibilities in relation to various aspects of food production, labelling, etc., and it is envisaged that these Departments will become the competent authorities for purposes of the draft directive within their existing areas of responsibility. (e) It is not envisaged that implementation of these proposals would involve recruitment of additional staff. The additional workload entailed by inspection and sampling at the various stages of production, manufacture, etc., can be offset by a reduction in the frequency of inspection and sampling at the retail stage.