Ciarán Cuffe
Question:94 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the progress to bring about a national label to improve the customer recognition and marketing of Irish organic produce. [18755/06]
View answerThursday, 18 May 2006
Questions (99, 100)
Written answers
The Report of the Organic Development Committee in 2002 recommended a national label for Irish organic food. The National Steering Group took up this recommendation for the Development of the Organic Sector. After some consideration, they concluded that the idea of a single national label for organic produce should be put on hold for now. There is not yet a consensus among stakeholders about what such a label should signify. The Steering Group also noted that the European Action Plan for Organic Food and Farming includes proposals for a EU information campaign, which will no doubt be aimed at raising consumers' awareness of organic food.
The Steering Group concluded that it was not practical at present to go ahead with an Irish national label for organic produce, and advised me accordingly. I have accepted the Group's advice.
Mary Upton
Question:95 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the progress which has been made on the introduction of full labelling of all meat products; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18868/06]
View answerThe general food labelling legislation comes within the remit of the Department of Health & Children. My Department has responsibility for specific labelling regulations such as the labelling of beef. It is governed by comprehensive EU regulations that were introduced in 2000 and is underpinned by a full national cattle identification and traceability system. However, these labelling requirements only apply as far as retail level. Primary legislation to allow for the extension of these regulations to the catering sector was enacted by the Oireachtas in March 2006 by way of an amendment to the Health Act 1947. Following consultation with the FSAI, my Department has submitted the necessary draft Beef Regulations to the Department of Health and Children. It is expected that the Regulations will be in place this summer.
The amended Heath Act 1947 will also facilitate the extension of country of origin labelling to all meats including poultrymeat. The EU Commission, however, is opposed to Member States introducing legislation on compulsory labelling that is over and above the common EU requirement. There would also be serious challenges in the implementation and enforcement of national legislation in the absence of harmonised EU provisions due to such factors as the amount of processing and repackaging operations that poultry in particular may be subjected to before arrival in this country. Therefore, the preferable way forward is that the EU Commission would progress the question of origin labelling of poultry. I have raised this issue with Commissioner Kyprianou and am taking every opportunity to press for progress on the matter. I will also raise this matter in the context of the current EU review of food labelling.
It is my intention that if no action is taken at EU level, I will put forward proposals for the extension of country of origin labelling on all meats at retail and catering levels here and to submit such proposals for EU approval.
Question No. 96 answered with QuestionNo. 37.