Ann Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I wish to inform the House that the Minister, Deputy Coveney, is unavailable. He is currently at a Cabinet meeting and he sends his apologies. The Bord Bia beef and lamb quality assurance scheme is an integrated scheme under which the producer and the processing plant work in partnership to provide the customer with quality-assured products, as the Deputy has outlined. The scheme describes the essential quality assurance requirements, from primary production through factory processing to final despatch, that are necessary to meet customer requirements. In addition, the scheme lays down additional standards to be complied with at each step of the production chain.

Producers seeking membership can initially apply directly to An Bord Bia or through their meat processor. A special application form is provided and must be signed by the producer. The application is then evaluated and, if appropriate, a full independent audit of the producer will be carried out to evaluate the capability of the applicant to meet all the requirements of the standard. This audit is conducted by an independent auditor from a Bord Bia-appointed inspection body. When the producer is deemed to have complied with the requirements of the standard, the herd is then considered for certification under the scheme. When certified, the producer is issued with a certificate for the herd which is listed on the Bord Bia register or database. Before the certification expires, the producer receives a reminder letter from Bord Bia advising that a further audit is required to maintain certification.

At producer level the scheme sets out several essential requirements covering both product and process. There are procedures covering hygiene, chilling and product traceability along the production chain, to which the Deputy has referred. Processors must develop a food safety management plan based on the principles of HACCP. Processors are subject to independent audit during which their compliance with each of the scheme requirements is assessed. When processors are deemed to have complied with the requirements of the standard, they are considered for certification under the scheme. When certified, the processor is issued with a certificate for the scope of the process audited and is listed on the Bord Bia database.

Currently there are 46,000 producers in the beef and lamb quality assurance scheme. This includes more than 34,000 beef-only herds and almost 10,000 mixed sheep and beef farms. There are 2,000 lamb-only farms included as well. I am confident that the system, which is accredited to internationally accepted standards, is robust. Almost 9,000 new applicants have come to the scheme this year on top of almost 10,000 new applicants last year. The figures show that the scheme is not subject to abuse or one in which farmers do not have faith. The reality is quite the opposite. The scheme is vital to the marketing and positioning of Irish products in Ireland and further afield, a fact which is understood and acknowledged by Irish farmers. Irish beef is now listed with more than 75 high-end retail chains across the European Union. This wide portfolio of customers has contributed significantly to higher returns for Irish beef in recent years and reflects the success of Bord Bia's differentiation and premiumisation strategy, which focuses on the key attributes of Irish beef - that is to say, environmental sustainability, grass-based production systems, and full traceability and quality assurance at all stages.

Among Bord Bia's initiatives this year is the continued development, global promotion and marketing of the Origin Green initiative, designed to establish Ireland as a world leader in sustainably produced food and drink. Over 200 companies are currently working with An Bord Bia to develop sustainability plans, setting out clear targets on emissions, energy, waste, water, biodiversity and corporate social responsibility activities.

I cannot overemphasise the critical importance of the beef quality assurance scheme in accessing premium markets and underpinning the repuation of Irish beef among retail and food service customers.

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