Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)

On the issue of complaints of mislabelling of foods, the Government has centralised the enforcement of all food labelling regulations in the Food Safety Authority of Ireland. This not only streamlines the enforcement measures but also provides a one-stop shop for consumer complaints about labelling.

We recognised consumer demand for information on the origin of beef used in restaurants and the catering sector. National primary legislation was required due to the lack of EU legislation and is now well advanced by way of amendment to section 54 of the Health Act 1947 by means of the Irish Medicines Board (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2005. Subject to enactment of this legislation and EU approval of the appropriate regulations, it will be a mandatory requirement to provide country of origin information to consumers in respect of beef served in restaurants and hotels and in use in the catering sector.

I sympathise with the concerns expressed about products which are imported into the Community and which once processed, are described as being the product of a particular member state. This practice arises from a concept known as "substantial transformation", in the context of European customs regulation. The Minister has raised the matter at the Council of Ministers and has been in direct contact with the EU Commissioner for Health and Consumer Affairs, reiterating her concerns on this issue, particularly in the context of the labelling of poultry meat.

Following the outbreak of foot and mouth disease, the Minister acted immediately on foot of an EU decision to ban imports from several regions in Brazil. This ban remains in place and the competence for extending or removing the ban lies with the EU Commission. The current ban severely restricts exports of beef from the main exporting areas in Brazil and is consistent with the EU approach of operating in accordance with a principle of regionalisation which was also applied during the outbreak of foot and mouth disease in Ireland.

Reference was made to the need for excise relief on biofuels. The Opposition seems to be unaware of the announcement in the budget of the extension of an excise relief scheme to cover annually 163 million litres of biofuel. This is intended to stimulate interest in biofuel development. The research proposals selected for assistance under the research stimulus fund are another element in the measures to promote bio-energy.

The Government is acutely aware of farmers' concerns about the implications of the nitrates regulations.

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