Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 October 2004
121 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the plans his Department has for the introduction of a tracing system for the sale of fresh sea-fish to give the retail customer here details on the fishing vessel involved and the date the fish was caught and landed. [25916/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe European Union Common Fisheries Policy provides the primary legal framework governing the labelling and traceability of seafood within the European Union.
Since July 2003, in accordance with the requirements of Council Regulation No. 104/2000 (EC) a labelling system giving traceability information in respect of a wide range of seafood and aquaculture products has been in operation in Ireland under the provisions of SI 320 of 2003. Under this legislation there is a requirement that all fish be labelled in accordance with European legislation — the Labelling of Fish and Aquaculture Products according to Council Regulation (EC) No. 104/2000 and Commission Regulation (EC) No. 2065/2001. The provisions do not apply to fish sold by mass caterers such as restaurants and take-aways The format requires that the label provides the following information: the commercial designation of the fish — its common name and scientific name; the production method, whether farmed or caught at sea or in fresh water; and the catch area. There are additional requirements of traceability for live bivalve molluscs which provide even more detailed information with regard to the production area and the date of production.
I presume the Deputy is also referring to further developments in Community legislation in this area. Regulation (EC) 178/2002, which comes into effect on 1 January 2005, provides in broad terms for the introduction of a mandatory traceability system in respect of animal food and feed in general. A further five related regulations and directives, the most relevant of which come into effect on 1 January 2006, set out detailed requirements in this regard.
The precise implications of these new requirements for the various food sectors are currently under examination. The Department is liaising with the Department of Agriculture and Food and the Department of Health and Children to ensure that the necessary arrangements in respect of the seafood sector are developed and introduced on a co-ordinated basis within the comprehensive legal and practical framework that will apply to food in general.
