Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:200 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the extent to which food quality and health standards are applicable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22682/99]
Written Answers. - Food Safety.
Food safety and quality standards are applicable across the spectrum of food products and, to this end, an extensive framework of official controls is in place to ensure food safety and quality. These controls and their enforcement involve the combined activities of a number of specialised agencies, both at national and local level, augmented by a wide spectrum of medical, veterinary and scientific expertise.
In line with the Government's commitment in the Action Programme for the Millennium, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland has been established with the statutory function of ensuring the co-ordinated delivery of food safety services throughout the State, and at every level in the State. These responsibilities are exercised via service contracts with existing agencies, including my Department. While most of the activities engaged in by my Department impact to some degree on food safety, there are four main areas – meat hygiene, milk and milk products, eggs and egg products and the pesticide control service – where duties include those directly related to the delivery of food safety.
Food safety is at the core of food quality and only when safety is guaranteed, can our potential to achieve the highest standard of quality be enhanced. Food quality can be a subjective concept of which there are many interpretations reflecting society's changing needs and concerns about such issues as the environment and animal welfare. Quality can, however, be characterised by the feature or set of features that enhance the value of a product in terms of excellence, for example, taste, appearance, nutrition, etc. Such feature or set of features distinguish the product in terms of value from other similar type products and, by extension, enables the producer to benefit from market advantage. Quality assurance measures operate at three interconnecting and developing levels – obligatory, voluntary and private market-driven schemes. There is a large number of measures dealing with food quality in a structured approach operated by, or under the control of, my Department which spans the range of agricultural commodities.
I appreciate fully that the future of our valuable indigenous food industry is contingent on its ability to remain competitive without compromising on safety or quality. I am satisfied that the controls and mechanisms are in place that will enable the industry to do just that in an increasingly global market.