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Food Labelling.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 March 2004

Wednesday, 24 March 2004

Ceisteanna (34)

Brendan Howlin

Ceist:

34 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the action he intends to take following the consumer liaison panel of his Department reporting that 90% of respondents in a recent survey stated a specific preference for country of origin labelling on meat; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9169/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The results of the research carried out at my request by the consumer liaison panel confirmed that consumers want information on the origin of the meat they consume, either in the home or when dining out. I am determined, in so far as it is within the powers available to me, to meet the wishes of consumers, as identified in the research.

In response to the results of the survey, I recently introduced two regulations in respect of the labelling of poultry meat. The first of these requires poultry meat — loose and pre-packaged — originating in a country outside the EU to bear an indication of the country of origin when offered for sale in a retail premises. The second requires information regarding class, price per unit weight, condition and slaughterhouse details in respect of loose poultry meat that is, non pre-packaged, to be provided to the consumer. Heretofore, while these labelling indications have been compulsory for pre-packaged poultry meat, it had not been a requirement to provide this information for poultry meat sold loose.

In addition to the above mentioned action, I have arranged that each sector will be reviewed on a commodity by commodity basis to identify any deficiencies, from a consumer viewpoint, in the labelling regulations for those commodities. I intend to take further action over the coming period in all commodity areas as appropriate.

In the beef sector, EU beef labelling regulations on origin do not currently apply to beef sold in the food service outlets. These regulations are currently being reviewed in Brussels. In the context of that review, I wrote to Commissioner Fischler asking him to consider including a provision for the labelling of origin of meat in such outlets. It is expected that a report on the review should be issued shortly.

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