Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 September 2012
366. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine the extent to which he continues to monitor the labelling of various food products with particular reference to indicating the country of origin in respect of meat, fish and poultry products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40639/12]
View answerThe Minister for Health has overall responsibility for the general food labelling legislation and the new EU food information regulations were adopted by the Council of Health Ministers.
The Food Information for the Consumer Regulation (1169/2011/EC) extended explicit compulsory origin labelling requirements to meats other than beef, with the detailed rules to be adopted in implementing acts by 13 December 2013, following an impact assessment by the Commission. The Regulation also adopts rules on compulsory labelling where the origin or place of provenance of a food is given and where it is not the same as its primary ingredient. Insofar as meat as an ingredient is concerned, these rules are subject to the adoption of implementing acts, which must themselves take account of an impact assessment to be carried out by the Commission and reported to the European Parliament and the Council no later than 13 December 2013. It is not expected that any subsequent implementing legislation will be effective until 2014.
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland has overall responsibility for enforcement of food labelling regulations. My Department’s responsibility only extends to carrying out annual traceability and labelling audits at all approved beef processing plants and cold stores. In addition, my Department conducts inspections to monitor compliance with poultrymeat labelling provisions at processor, wholesaler and retailer level including the requirement to indicate country of origin on fresh and frozen poultrymeat (whole and cuts) in loose and prepacked form.
The requirements for the labelling of fishery and aquaculture products are set down in Council Regulation (EC) No. 104/2000, on the common organisation of the markets in fishery and aquaculture products, and Commission Regulation (EC) No. 2065/2001, laying down detailed rules for the application of Council Regulation (EC) No. 104/2000 as regards informing consumers about fishery and aquaculture products. These regulations were transposed by the European Communities (Labelling of Fishery and Aquaculture Products) Regulations, 2003 (S.I. No. 320 of 2003).
Enforcement of this legislation may be carried out by sea fisheries officers from the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority and by officers authorised under the European Communities (Labelling, Presentation and Advertising of Foodstuffs) Regulations, 2002 (S.I. No. 483 of 2002). Officers in this latter category include Environmental Health Officers and inspectors of Office of Director of Consumer Affairs.
