Phil Hogan
Question:116 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he has any plans to update the Food Standards Act, 1974; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Food Standards Legislation.
I have no plans at present for amending the Food Standards Act, 1974. Should the need arise I will, of course, consider the matter in consultation with the Ministers for Industry and Commerce and Health who also have responsibilities under the Act.
Phil Hogan
Question:117 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will initiate the introduction of a European standard for food quality, in view of recent examples of food standard inconsistencies between EC member states; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The EC Commission have been considering what action might be taken in regard to food quality standards for some time and I hope that proposals will emerge for consideration by the Council of Ministers in the near future.
A prime objective of my Presidency of the Council of Agriculture Ministers is to make maximum progress on the various measures in the fields of food law and veterinary and phytosanitary controls, already tabled or to be tabled by the Commission, which are necessary to complete the Single Market.
Phil Hogan
Question:118 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will consider setting mandatory compositional standards for the basic family food items; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The question of mandatory compositional standards for basic food items is kept under constant review and the introduction of such standards will be considered as the need arises.