I propose to take Questions Nos. 34 and 49 together.
The requirements on food retailers to indicate the country of origin of the products indicated by the Deputy are stipulated in various labelling regulations. In relation to fresh, chilled and frozen beef sold as cuts or as mince, the following information should be available to the consumer at the retail outlet: the country of birth of the animal; the country or countries where the animal was reared; and the slaughterhouse where the slaughter took place and the cutting plant where the beef was processed. If these are the same, the label should simply state: origin, name of the country. Where some, but not all, of the information is available, the beef is labelled non-EC.
For poultry meat imported from non-EU countries that has not been treated in any way other than freezing, the country of origin must be stated on the label. It is not normally required that the labels of lamb and dairy products imported from outside the EU show their country of origin. If its absence might mislead the consumer to a material degree, the country of origin must be given. However, EU legislation stipulates that the hygiene standards of such products must be to the same standard of similar products produced within the Community.
There is no legislative requirements on the food service industry to provide the consumer with the country of origin of any product. Due to ongoing consumer concerns about this and other general food labelling issues, I established a food labelling group to examine all labelling issues from a consumer's perspective. This group reported to me in December and my Department is currently examining this report. Following this examination, I shall decide on how best to progress the implementation of the recommendations contained in the report.