Dáil debates
Tuesday, 23 September 2014
Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions
Beef Industry
2:15 pm
Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source
As the Minister knows and has alluded to, there has been a major problem with the nomadic cattle. We have the farcical situation that cattle born, bred and slaughtered on this island are not classed as Irish. I understand the Minister has had very fruitful discussions with his counterpart, the Minister, Ms O'Neill, MLA. I understand an agreement was reached to have the EU labelling on it as UK, but it would be called Irish beef. I ask the Minister for an update on his discussions with the supermarket chains on calling it Irish beef on the supermarket shelf. Did they ask for some assurances on traceability?
Were the Departments able to give that assurance - which should be no problem because both have very good systems - in order that they can get the product on the shelves, not as nomadic cattle but as Irish beef? While I welcome the discussions, results are needed from them.
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