Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

The issue of substantial transformation was raised by me on Monday last at Commission level, most particularly in regard to the poultry sector. The issue of labelling has now dawned for many EU member states which were vehemently opposed to this when it was led by the Irish. There is a change within the Council in regard to substantial transformation and sourcing, including date and place of slaughter. However, in the interim, Ireland is proceeding on the issue. While it would have been better and easier to do this in the context of a European decision, we are not prepared to wait.

I met the Tánaiste. She will facilitate primary legislation through her Department, at which stage we will be able to give legal impetus to a statutory instrument that I will put forward on this issue.

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