Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)

I thank the Minister of State for his reply. The question concerned in part the date for the introduction of country of origin labelling, which has been promised. If it was part of the reply not read on the floor of the House it may perhaps be given as a supplementary answer.

The Minister of State mentioned Brazilian beef, but does the Department have information on the statement of IFA president John Dillon regarding three cases of foot and mouth disease in Brazil last month? Following the banning of Brazilian beef in the United States, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and South Korea, is there a case to be made in the EU, and particularly in Ireland given the country's dependence on the beef industry, for a similar measure to be taken? Will the Department have any influence on the EU Commissioner for Trade, Peter Mandelson, and his efforts in the opposite direction, which would cut 60% of tariffs and open up a flood of untraceable food into Europe?

Is the Department able to intervene when a type of cattle not sold in Ireland, humpback cattle from Brazil, are marketed after being processed as Gaelic steak? Is the issue of labelling not so important that it is time for the Department to give the matter urgent attention? A woman from the midlands told me she got half a leg of lamb, with the outer packaging stating it was an Irish product and the inner wrapping stating another country of origin. Is the Department not able to do anything about this or is it going to stand by as the meat industry is effectively destroyed by cheaper meat that lacks traceability and is not subject to the regulations in this country? This is fact rather than innuendo or anecdote. Will the Department bring about traceability in restaurants, the retail trade and in every other aspect?

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