Jimmy Deenihan
Question:36 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will promote the idea of a pure Irish food mark on Irish products for export in order to enhance the sale of Irish agricultural produce abroad.
Written Answers. - Food Quality Mark.
The quality and purity of Irish food products will be two of the key advantages which the Irish food industry will have to promote if it is to succeed in the tougher and more competitive markets that now exist. We already have a number of quality marks which have been successful in promoting Irish products in home and export markets. These include those awarded under the CBF beef and pigmeat quality assurance schemes and the Q-Mark established by the Irish Quality Association. There is also the internationally recognised ISO 9000 award which has been earned by many of our food companies.
The use of these symbols is backed up by rules and inspection systems which aim at guaranteeing the quality of the product to the consumer. These symbols are, therefore useful marketing assets which have gained acceptance over time and which I believe should continue in operation. At this stage I am not considering the further introduction of a single symbol to cover all Irish products. I am, however, encouraging all Irish food manufacturing firms to become members of established and appropriate quality guarantee schemes.