Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

Beef imports into the European Union from third countries must have been sourced, first, in countries and, second, premises listed and approved by the European Commission and which are subject to veterinary audits by the EU's Food and Veterinary Office. In addition, such imports are subject to checks laid down in the harmonised rules prescribed at European level and must be accompanied by the prescribed veterinary health certification from the competent authorities in the country of export.

The Community beef labelling requirements, which are compulsory in all member states, apply to beef sold at retail level within the Community, regardless of whether that beef was produced within the Community or a third country. Where beef is imported into the Community from a third country, that beef must, at a minimum, be labelled as "Origin: non-EC", with an indication of the third country in which slaughter took place.

There is a gap in these EU requirements in so far as they do not apply at restaurant and catering sector level, and Ireland has raised this with the Commission. It is my intention to proceed with a national legal requirement that country of origin must be displayed in respect of beef served on such premises. Proposals to this effect will be brought forward once the legal options allowing for this development have been fully examined. In this regard, I am in consultation with the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, on the appropriate legal mechanisms to give effect to such labelling.

See this speech in context