Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 106: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will extend the country of origin labelling of beef introduced in 2006 to cover lamb products; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13064/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The Minister for Health & Children has overall responsibility for the general food labelling legislation. Responsibility for enforcement of labelling legislation rests with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) through its service contracts with my Department, the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority, the Health Services Executive, the Local Authorities and the National Consumer Agency. Breaches of food labelling legislation should be reported to the FSAI.

My Department, in conjunction with the Department of Health and Children, drafted regulations that would require the country of origin to be indicated on pigmeat, poultry and sheepmeat. This was notified to the EU Commission in December 2007 as required by legislation. The Commission was not prepared to adopt the draft regulations in their present format on the grounds that the proposed legislation is not in compliance with EU food labelling regulations. However, it indicated that it will reconsider the draft measures once we have submitted additional explanatory information. This information is currently being prepared for transmission to the Commission. I will continue to press for progress, as I believe consumers are entitled to full information on the labelling of food products.