Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)

The Minister expressed her support for regulations at EU level that beef served in catering restaurants should have the country of origin on the menu. This must be extended to all meat types, including chicken, pork and lamb. This provision will be meaningless unless Irish consumers can be guaranteed that what they are eating is Irish or from another country. Current labelling requirements do not guarantee this.

We were promised that labelling provision of the country of origin on restaurant menus would be introduced. That is still not compulsory throughout the State. To protect Ireland's reputation for producing top quality and safe food, the Minister for Agriculture and Food must take urgent action. Ireland must protect its quality domestic product by distinctively labelling its own produce. It is vitally important. I am aware the Minister's officials are examining this and they must come forward with proposals as soon as possible.

On the issue of traceability, in October 2004, the EU food and veterinary office identified serious deficiencies within the Brazilian beef processing industry, particularly regarding its traceability and tagging system. However, we continue to import beef which does not meet the high standards required of Irish beef. Following an outbreak of foot and mouth disease in Brazil in October 2005, the EU moved to ban the importation of beef from certain regions of Brazil. Given that Brazil's tracing systems have been found to be flawed in the past, this ban should be applied nationally.

Fine Gael has put forward a good proposal. Ireland, with its green image, low population density, extensive farm production system and reputation for quality food production, lies on the edge on one of the richest markets in the world and is ideally placed to capitalise on the opportunities to supply this emerging food market. Fine Gael proposes that a green Ireland label should be developed by Bord Bia and marketed throughout the world. The label would seek to build on Ireland's green image and capacity to produce safe quality assured food, which lives up to its reputation. Deputy Naughten will outline the proposal. The bottom line is that we must protect Irish food and we are failing to do so. I am sure Deputy Smith is interested in doing the same.

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