Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 May 2014
189. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which all food production throughout Europe complies with the relevant regulations in respect of health, hygiene, husbandry and storage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20603/14]
View answerFood production in the European Union operates in accordance with harmonised rules and member states controls are subject to audit and supervision by the Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) of the EU. The rules governing food production in Ireland are managed by my Department and the Department of Health.
Primary responsibility under EU law for the safety and traceability of food placed on the market lies with food business operators. The role of National Competent Agencies is to verify compliance with this requirement. This is done by a combination of inspecting establishments and by auditing the food safety management systems which operators are required to have in place. These controls are applied at different stages in the food supply chain.
In Ireland, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI), under the aegis the Minister for Health, has overall responsibility for the enforcement of food safety requirements in Ireland. It carries out this remit through service contracts with my Department and other agencies, including the Health Service Executive (HSE), Local Authority Veterinary Service and the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority.
