Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 18 May 2000

Vol. 519 No. 4

Written Answers. - Beef Exports.

Seán Ryan

Question:

35 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he has evaluated the fall in Irish beef sales in Europe since the inclusion of the country of origin on beef; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13842/00]

Michael Creed

Question:

38 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development his views on the sale and marketing of Irish beef; if it will be at a disadvantage after January 2002 when the country of origin, fattening and slaughter will be detailed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13742/00]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 35 and 38 together.

Following the BSE crisis in 1996, the EU introduced a beef labelling system aimed at re-establishing stability in the beef market and allaying consumer concerns by providing full traceability of beef presented for sale in the European Union. For a number of technical reasons, relating mainly to the legal basis for the regulation and the state of readiness of cattle identification systems in the various member states, it has now been agreed that the 1997 regulation will be replaced by a new regulation to be implemented in two stages.

The first stage, due to enter into force on 1 September 2000, will provide the consumer with information permitting the identification of the animal or group of animals from which the beef was derived; the approval number and country of the slaughterhouse; the approval number and country of the de-boning hall and the category of animal. The second stage, which will come into effect on 1 January 2002, will make it obligatory to indicate the member state or third country where the animal was born, fattened and slaughtered.

As the largest exporter of beef in the EU, which accounted for more than 140,000 tonnes of our beef last year compared with 70,000 tonnes in 1997, it is important for Ireland to be supportive of measures designed to provide consumers with assurances on traceability. At the same time I am, however, very much aware of the possibility that labelling regulations could become the basis for a further shift towards re-nationalisation of beef markets. It was for that very reason that I insisted that the new labelling regulation agreed at the last Council should include a declaration to the effect that the EU Commission will closely monitor the development of the beef trade in the light of the labelling regulations, particularly in relation to the position of exporting member states, such as Ireland, with a view to taking corrective action if necessary. Given this declaration, together with the fact that Irish beef is a premium quality product, I am satisfied that Irish producers will not be disadvantaged by these new labelling provisions.