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Food Quality.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 July 2004

Tuesday, 6 July 2004

Ceisteanna (74)

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

106 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food his plans to create a high quality standard under which Irish food can be marketed at home and abroad. [20243/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

An Bord Bia, which has statutory responsibility for marketing and promotion Irish food produce, operates quality assurance schemes in the beef, horticulture, pigmeat, poultry and egg sectors. Product meeting the high standard requirements of these schemes can be marketed at home and abroad under the board's quality mark.

The report of the Food Quality Assurance Schemes Review Group recommended drawing up national guidelines to facilitate accreditation of individual food quality assurance schemes to the international standard EN45011. The National Standards Authority of Ireland is currently working on a linear integrated standard covering the totality of the food chain from producer to consumer including processors and retail-catering. Each specific sector will be free to tailor quality assurance schemes to suit their own requirements in conformity with the national standard. It is expected that a consultation process will issue shortly.

It must be remembered that in applying any particular national standard due regard must be had to EU law. Furthermore, care must be taken to ensure that unnecessary constraints are not placed on producers and companies in establishing markets and partnerships in the distribution chain. In today's rapidly changing marketplace both global and niche brands have a place and there are markets to be won for functional, speciality and organic foods. I welcome Bord Bia's pilot initiative this year in promoting co-branding of Irish beef where certain Irish producers will promote product jointly with retail chains in selected continental markets.

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