Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 9 Oct 1996

Vol. 469 No. 6

Written Answers. - Cocoa Solids Market.

Pat Gallagher

Question:

185 Mr. Gallagher (Laoighis-Offaly) asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if his attention has been drawn to the potential detrimental effects on developing countries of the proposal by Codex Alimentarius to revise the definition of chocolate and chocolate products, thus reducing the market for cocoa solids; the Government's views on this proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17977/96]

Pat Gallagher

Question:

187 Mr. Gallagher (Laoighis-Offaly) asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if his attention has been drawn to concerns expressed to his Department and the Irish National Food and Agricultural Organisation Committee regarding the detrimental effects on developing countries of the proposal by Codex Alimentarius to revise the definition of chocolate and chocolate products, thereby reducing the market for cocoa solids; the position which will be taken by the Irish delegation during the discussions on this proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17974/96]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry (Mr. Yates)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 185 and 187 together.

Milk chocolate is the main chocolate produce manufactured in Ireland. At its recent meeting held from 30 September 1996 to 2 October 1996 the Codex Committee on Cocoa Products and Chocolate agreed to maintain the existing codex definitions for milk chocolate which are the same as those set out in Council Directive 73/241/EEC. This decision, which Ireland supported, should not impact negatively on developing countries. Also at that meeting a proposal to permit the use of vegetable fat other than cocoa butter, up to a maximum of 5 per cent of the finished weight of chocolate products was discussed but no final decision was made on it. Council Directive 73/241/EEC provides for the use of a similar level of vegetable fat. Since the adoption of the Directive this provision has been availed of by Ireland and a number of other member states.