Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)

I thank Deputy Hoctor for the question on the labelling issue, which she has raised with me on numerous occasions. The Commission has carried out a two-year consultation on Community quality policy to better communicate to consumers higher EU standards in marketing, geographic indicators and organic and quality assurance to give EU farmers a competitive edge. The Council has endorsed a three-way strategy which includes the possibility of origin labelling by way of a compulsory reference to place of farming. The Commission will explore within the common organisation of the market the form that place of farming might take. It could be EU or non-EU based or country or member state of origin based. This is a good basis for progress. Ireland agrees that use should be made of existing mechanisms for price reporting and we support the proposed draft conclusion in this regard as well as the Commission price monitoring tool.

Obviously, much work remains to be done. This issue has gained prominence during recent years and there is a greater awareness and consciousness among all member states, or at least among the majority, in respect of the sourcing of food, apart from the origin of food, where it is processed and where the final product comes from. Even now, queries arise in regard to environmentally friendly farming, animal welfare and husbandry and so on. To some extent, the debate has widened. Unfortunately, decisions are not reached as quickly as we would wish at the Council of Ministers.

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