Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 January 2005
70 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the way in which new EU proposals for food business operators, particularly official controls on products of animal origin intended for human consumption, will impact on farmers here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1783/05]
View answerThe hygiene package and the food and feed regulation were adopted during 2004. These measures bring together, update and consolidate EU food and feed legislation. They cover all food business operators throughout the food chain from farmer to retailer and the controls involved are operated by a number of Departments and official agencies in Ireland. The legislation comes into force from 1 January 2006.
The legislation will place certain obligations on farmers. These include registration of all primary producers, that is, farmers, good hygiene practices and rules concerning the movement of animals to slaughter houses. Some of the implementation measures are being examined by the European Commission and within my Department. The requirements also form part of the cross compliance controls for the single farm payment. My Department will embark on a consultation process with interested parties prior to the enforcement of the new legislation.
