Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Independent)

I support this motion. There is no doubt in my mind that the nitrates directive has been mishandled, not only by the Government but by successive Governments dating back to 1991. Some 15 years later there is confusion, fear and anger in the farming community and, indeed, in the scientific community and there are serious difficulties between farmers and Teagasc as a result. I would have thought that over a much shorter period of time there would have been widespread consultation with all the stakeholders on this matter, and that the Government would not allow a situation arise where, following a European Court of Justice case against Ireland in 2004, the panic reaction is to introduce this directive.

I welcome the suspension of the phosphate portion of this directive. It is eminently reasonable in the circumstances, and particularly having regard to the scientific evidence, that this entire directive should be suspended and I hope that the Minister would agree to do that.

The motion also refers to food labelling. Food labelling is an important area for the Irish economy, for farm products and for products that derive from the farm gate. In some cases food labels list a country of origin, a different country which is where reprocessing occurred and a third country which is a packaging or repackaging country. In many cases it is not clear what is the country of origin. It is important that housewives are in a position to determine what they buy as an Irish product. In addition, some of these products are being resold on the international market on the basis of being Irish products when that is not the case.

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