Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

I appreciate that but it is not really my responsibility. The Food Standards Authority of Ireland, FSAI, comes under the Department of Health and Children because traceability is a food safety and public health issue. We must tackle the labelling issue in many ways. To be able to see what is on the label would be a start. People must also understand what is on the label, which is what Deputy Upton is speaking of. There are methodologies by which we can identify country of origin with date and place of slaughter, which is important. It is on that basis that we will look at that type of information.

One of the major issues under the regulation is the transformation issue. I have indicated strongly that it is open to abuse, that it is not acceptable and that we are prepared to close it. I regret I cannot do much about the issue involving the FSAI but I reassure Deputy Upton that there is ongoing consultation between the FSAI and my Department on many issues, not necessarily on a weekly basis but very regularly.

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