Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)

Responsibility for the enforcement of general food labelling legislation including country of origin, rests with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, FSAI, a body under the aegis of the Minister for Health. This is achieved through service contracts between the FSAI and the relevant agencies including the Health Service Executive, the local authority veterinary service, the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority and my Department.

Under the EU general labelling Directive 2000/13/EC, the place of origin of foodstuffs in circulation within the EU is required to be declared only where failure to provide it would be likely to mislead the consumer. Specific country of origin labelling for beef and veal was introduced under EC Regulation No. 1760/2000, originating with the need for traceability arising from BSE. Certain other products such as honey, fruit and vegetables and olive oil also require origin labelling under EU legislation.

In 2007 my Department submitted draft national legislation to the European Commission that would require the country of origin to be indicated on pigmeat, poultrymeat and sheepmeat and on food products containing over 70% of these meats. A negative opinion was adopted on the grounds that the proposed regulation was not considered to be consistent with the EU labelling directive.

More recently, the EU Commission brought forward proposals on origin labelling as part of a new regulation on information to the consumer. This regulation initially proposed an extension of origin labelling to other products including other meats, dairy products and food ingredients. Following deliberation, it is expected that a proposed regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council will extend country of origin labelling to pork, sheepmeat, poultrymeat and goatmeat with effect from late November 2011. Producers will have a two year transitional period to adopt the regulation. The question of origin labelling for dairy products and meat ingredients will be subject to further review by the Commission.

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