The joint committee met representatives of Cappoquin Chickens and local industry groups on the issue of food labelling, the number of departmental staff required to be present at Cappoquin Chickens and the charges the Department imposed for this. The details of these meetings are contained in the committee's report, Delegation from the Joint Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment to the Tipperary, Waterford, Cork Border Region on 21 and 22 January 2008, in chapter 4.2.1, 2.3 and 2.6. In addition, Deputy O'Keeffe has drawn the committee's attention to an article in the Irish Independent on 20 May entitled, “Congress passes Bill to protect rural United States”, in which the issue of food labelling is referred to. I propose that the committee discuss the correspondence received and the contents of the article.
Business of Joint Committee.
For some time we have been seeking proper country of origin labelling on food produce. Ireland has been cold-shouldered on the issue but has the sympathy of several Departments with responsibility for labelling. However, due to EU legislation, they have not been able to put a system in place. I have read the letter which the Chairman is kicking into touch. Due to the recent crisis at Cappoquin Chickens, there may be issues other than labelling. Ireland will be left without a poultry industry if this matter is not resolved speedily. I suggest the committee meet EU representatives in Brussels and explain this matter to them, as seemingly they do not understand it.
It is possible to provide for labelling under the heading of enhanced co-operation. Many members may believe this is an agricultural matter, but employment protection is our responsibility. I keep repeating that employment will be lost in the food industry. Many rural centres in the entire southern half of the country will be dormitory towns. Cappoquin is now in the firing line.
We are responsible for employment protection on the processing side. I realise the food industry comes within the remit of another Department, although it affects two Departments. Each time I read a newspaper I see reports on the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment opening a food operation, whereas technically the food industry is supposed to come within the remit of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. That indicates it is the responsibility of the committee. Enterprise Ireland and the IDA are accountable to the committee, as they are responsible for the food industry, both internationally and domestically. We have to go to Brussels to convince the people concerned.
We see imports coming in through Rotterdam, being stamped as European and sold across the European Union. Once stamped, they can be sold as Irish products. We see chicken coming in to be reprocessed with a few bread crumbs on it. The Chairman is very serious about employment, to which his party is greatly committed. I try to defend it, as best I can but do not understand how we can allow such erosion to take place in an industry that can prove viable at production, processing and marketing levels. I am asking for support. We must review matters and talk to officials in the European Union about country of origin labelling because we are making no progress in this regard. The matter is with the Department of Health and Children but we are going nowhere. Cappoquin Chickens is in crisis. I ask the Chairman to send a deputation to Brussels to meet the relevant officials, arising from the letter from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.
I certainly see an opportunity in this regard. The issue is extremely important. Developments at Cappoquin in recent weeks re-emphasise the significance of our discussion. Our view is reflected in the priorities set out following the meeting in January in the south west where we met both producers and management in Cappoquin Chickens. Foreign and domestic producers should be obliged to identify the country of origin of all raw materials in primary and secondary processing. It is vital that the consumer knows from where a particular product originates. In that context, it is important that our own producers are not disadvantaged. Many years ago when I was a member of the agriculture committee, the French openly displayed their products with their national flag. We seem to be too eager to obey every rule. In that regard, we wanted to simplify the labelling system which had been introduced.
Making country of origin labelling madatory in respect of poultry, fruit, vegetables, meat and dairy products is something that should be explored. As I know some of this falls within the area of agriculture, we are somewhat hampered in that regard. However, because there is an employment aspect and, as Deputy O'Keeffe said, Enterprise Ireland funds significant elements of the food industry, the committee has a degree of competence in the matter. Therefore, I shall explore the possibility of meeting relevant officials in the context of the correspondence received some weeks back from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. I certainly intend to inform that Department of the general dissatisfaction expressed at the meeting in Cappoquin. I shall send a copy of the reply to all Deputies and Senators for County Waterford and the management of Cappoquin Chickens to let them know what we are doing. We will notify the Department of this also, particularly in the context of the correspondence brought to our attention by Deputy O'Keeffe.
The US House of Representatives has approved a farm Bill. I know Mr. Walshe and Mr. Berkery of the IFA will shortly refer to Commissioner Mandelson and that they will have moved on a step to deal with the real issue of world trade which obviously has the potential to devastate EU agriculture, but the United States appears to be circling the wagons to protect its crucial agricultural industry and interests. This is of particular interest to the committee. Where we see a huge trading bloc putting its interests first and making a pre-emptive strike, it is important we are to the forefront and that we agitate and advocate on behalf of our producers, particularly with regard to employment which comes within our remit and competence. In that context, I would be eager to have a delegation travel to Brussels to ascertain how we can advance this aspect.
It is okay to travel to Brussels but we must have a level playing pitch, which is all I seek. We know where we stand. America can have a farm Bill that states the country of origin will be indicated in the labelling of goods. If America and our friend Mr. Mandelson get their way, they will ruin Irish agriculture and processing.
Yes. The levelling of the playing pitch has been a key aspect of the advocacy of the IFA and other farm organisations. Once the pitch is level, we can compete, which is all we seek. This is important not just for the primary producer, for whom it is of extreme importance, but also in retaining employment in that industry and generating new opportunities. I will pursue this aspect.
I will be a member of the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries and Food from next week and will be there to take up that new role.
We will write to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food expressing our dissatisfaction with its reply. We will then pursue the other aspects of the matter.
Deputy O'Keeffe is multi-talented. I do not know how many committees of which he is a member at this stage.
I came from a good school.