Vol. 572 No. 3
211 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he proposes to take action from the point of view of protecting the rights of consumers in regard to allegations that beef advertised here is actually from a foreign country in view of the concerns over the traceability of food products. [22916/03]
223 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the action he proposes to take arising from the recent report of incorrectly labelled beef on sale in Irish retail, wholesale or catering outlets. [23426/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 211 and 223 together.
I have been concerned for some time about the issue of food labelling and, for that reason, I established a widely representative group to examine the matter which reported to me on 10 December 2002. On the basis of the recommendations of the food labelling group, I took a number of actions which included arranging for the centralisation of control of food labelling in the Food Safety Authority of Ireland; pursuing with the EU Commission the question of extending the beef labelling regulations to the catering sector; and asking the consumer liaison panel to carry out market research to identify consumer requirements on the origin of meat, including beef. While beef imports to this country constitute a small fraction of our overall production and exports, it is absolutely essential that EU labelling requirements are applied to all beef sold on the domestic market, irrespective of origin. Where there is evidence that these requirements are not adhered to, then the agency responsible for controlling the particular sector and for implementing the legislation should take the appropriate action.
As regards the beef slaughtering and cutting plants under the control of my Department, I have asked the Department's veterinary inspectorate to examine the procedures in place to ensure full compliance. It is a matter for the FSAI, in conjunction with the local authorities and the health boards, to address any alleged breaches in the retail and catering sectors. I understand the FSAI is following up the matters raised.
