Vol. 505 No. 3
117 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the measures in hand or proposed to enhance Ireland's reputation as a producer of high quality food and food products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13811/99]
Ireland's reputation as a producer of fine quality food is founded on our ability to produce high quality safe food. Food safety is at the core of food quality and only when safety is guaranteed, can our potential to achieve the highest standard of quality be enhanced. Reassurances on food safety are being provided by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, working in co-operation with the relevant Government Departments and State agencies and with the food industry.
Quality assurance schemes through integrated programmes involving farmers, processors, and retailers are operated by An Bord Bia and An Bord Glas. These schemes are aimed at ensuring safe, wholesome, high quality product capable of commanding a premium market position. The quality-assurance schemes currently operated by An Bord Bia apply in the beef, pigmeat and egg sectors, while An Bord Glas operates a quality auditing scheme for horticultural food products. In addition, my Department has a wide range of systems in place to boost the quality of Irish food. These span the range of commodities from breeding through to labelling of the end product. A major initiative undertaken by my Department is the national beef assurance scheme which aims to guarantee the safety of Irish beef and beef products in line with consumer demands. Drafting of the legislation is at an advanced stage and I hope to present it to the Government in the near future.
Promotion of our quality foods continues to be a priority, and An Bord Bia which has the statutory function of promoting, assisting and developing the marketing of Irish food has in place a comprehensive programme aimed at securing these aims and every opportunity is availed of to boost the wholesome and safe image of Irish food, whether at home or abroad.
