Vol. 482 No. 8
33 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food his views in relation to the recent vote in the European Parliament on labelling changes in the chocolate industry; the extent to which it may impact on Irish jobs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19458/97]
A proposal to simplify the existing directive on cocoa and chocolate products for the purpose of facilitating completion of the internal market is being dealt with under the co-decision procedure with the European Parliament. The present position is that the European Parliament has recently proposed a number of amendments to the text of the draft Council amending directive. A preliminary examination of the proposed amendments indicate that, while the suggested changes are unlikely to adversely affect employment in the Irish chocolate industry, some of them would not be in its overall best interests. However, I can assure the Deputy that those interests will be vigorously defended in the continuing negotiations on this directive.
