Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 November 2004
36 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will report on when the labelling of Irish beef, pork, chicken and lamb will be put in place throughout the wholesale, retail and restaurant sectors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29379/04]
View answerAll meat products sold at retail level in Ireland are subject to the general labelling requirements set out in national and EU legislation. With regard to beef, EU regulations provide for a detailed labelling system to be applied at retail sale, which is over and above the general labelling provisions. There is a however a gap in these requirements in so far as they do not apply at restaurant and catering sector level. It is my intention to proceed with a legal requirement that country of origin must be displayed in respect of beef served on such premises. The legal options allowing for this development are being examined at present.
As regards lamb and pork, these products are already subject to the general food labelling regulations. As regards country of origin I am considering how best to implement the recommendations of the food labelling group in respect of labelling of these products sold at retail level.
With regard to poultry, two statutory instruments were signed earlier this year setting out requirements that loose poultry should bear an indication of its country of origin if imported from outside the EU and requiring that is should be labelled to show class, price per kilogram, whether fresh or frozen and the number of the production plant. Mandatory regulations already existed at EU level in relation to pre-packaged poultry products.
37 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if her attention has been drawn to any other recent mislabelling of beef for export, apart from that referred to in Parliamentary Question No. 2 of 13 October 2004 (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29330/04]
View answerIn the course of its investigation into certain practices in a licensed beef processing plant, my Department has extended its examination to other plants involved in similar trade in order to ensure compliance with the terms of specifications for the non-EU market concerned. On the basis of preliminary results, I have no reason to believe these practices were widespread.
