Jackie Cahill
Ceist:2099. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to protect origin of food products from the island of Ireland in all post-Brexit scenarios. [34222/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 23 July 2019
Ceisteanna (2099)
Freagraí scríofa
The placement of food products on the EU market is governed by a comprehensive and robust legislative framework laid down at EU level, controlled by Member States in the first instance and audited by the EU Commission. My Department pays a key role in the enforcement of legislation in this area along with other Government departments and state agencies such as the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) and the Health Service Executive.
Labelling of food, which incorporates mandatory country of origin information, is governed by EU food legislation on the provision of Food Information to Consumers (Regulation (EU) No. 1169/2011). This currently applies to certain products such as the meat of pigs, sheep, goats and poultry, beef, fish, honey, olive oil, and fresh fruit and vegetables.
From 1 April 2020, it will be mandatory to indicate the country of origin of the primary ingredient (which makes up more than 50% of a food) if it is different from the country of origin of the product as a whole.