Vol. 561 No. 3
33 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he has satisfied himself that all food imported into this country has undergone the same hygiene, production and traceability regulations which are applicable here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4044/03]
99 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he has satisfied himself that production, hygiene and safety standards in the countries from which Ireland currently imports meat or meat products directly or indirectly apply the same standards as are applicable here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4206/03]
100 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if the countries from which meat or meat products are imported apply the same regulatory standards that are applicable within the European Union; if he has satisfied himself that all such standards are maintained without exception; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4207/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 33, 99 and 100 together.
Controls on the importation of food into the EU from third countries have been set down in EU legislation. Under the single market there is free circulation within the EU. All animal product imports from third countries must come from establishments in those countries which are approved by the EU and bear an EU health mark, except in certain instances when a product may be imported under a licence. The food and veterinary office of the EU carry out inspections to ensure that only establishments that meet hygiene and health standards equivalent to those operating within the EU will be approved. Where the food and veterinary office is satisfied that public health requirements are not being met by premises in those countries, the establishments may be removed from the EU-approved list.
34 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the requirements there are on importers of beef, lamb and poultry meat from non-EU countries to inform the consumer or any purchaser of the product of its country of origin. [3974/03]
49 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the requirements there are on importers of dairy products from non-EU countries to inform the consumer or any purchaser of the produce of its country of origin. [3975/03]
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.
