Billy Timmins
Question:73 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if there is a traceability policy in place for New Zealand lamb imported during 1997. [23281/98]
Written Answers. - Meat Imports.
Food labelling requirements laid down by national and EU regulations, require that food sold in pre-packaging form must carry the name of the country of origin only when the absence of this information would mislead. The application of this legislation is monitored by the office of the Director of Consumer Affairs.
Origin marking for a wide range of imported goods was a legal requirement in Ireland until 1985 when the legislation was revoked following a threat of infringement proceedings against Ireland by the EU Commission. In addition, the World Trade Agreement, to which both Ireland and New Zealand are parties, prohibits the imposition of a legal requirement on one member without it being a requirement for all members, otherwise this requirement is considered to be a technical barrier for trade.
Consequently under existing legislation and agreements it is not possible for the State to put a compulsory tractability policy in place for New Zealand lamb unless a similar system is imposed at EU level on lamb from all sources including the EU itself.
Billy Timmins
Question:74 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if there is a traceability policy in place for beef imported from the United States of America in 1997. [23282/98]
Under EU Regulation 820/97 which came into effect on 1 July 1998, all beef originating from outside the Community must fulfil similar traceability requirements as for EU beef where the label contains information other than basic information about the product. The United States authorities notified the EU Commission of its procedures for approval of labelling claims on 9 May 1998. Prior to the entry into force of this regulation only normal veterinary conditions would have applied to imports.