Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 10: To ask the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine if he is satisfied with the implementation of country of origin labelling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31631/11]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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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.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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I welcome the coming legislation. Regarding existing legislation, namely, labelling regulations of 2000, there have been very few prosecutions in that regard. Is the Minister concerned there have been so few? Has any progress been made on the abuse of the existing labelling laws regarding the gaping loophole, otherwise known as substantial transformation, that allows a chicken fillet or pork chop to come from one part of the world and have breadcrumbs put on it in this country, thereby becoming an Irish food product?

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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I ask the Minister to be brief.

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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On the second question, that is the reason we are introducing legislation. Essentially, consumers are being misled. That cheap chicken is brought into and processed in Ireland and labelled as an Irish product is something we need to move away from and that is why poultry and pigmeat will be subject to proper country of origin labelling in the not too distant future, as beef is at present. When that happens it will be welcomed strongly by the industry.

Regarding enforcement of existing rules for beef, if people have examples of regulations being flouted I would love to hear about them. We will certainly follow up on them. The Deputy raised a particular company with me and we followed it up with the result that the company now has very clear labelling within the premises. I do not wish to give out its name as that would be unfair.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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It has improved its situation.

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Whether it improved as a result of our questioning or was doing so in any case, we will never know but it is compliant now.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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I have a related parliamentary question.

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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I am sorry, Deputy.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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I refer to Question No. 385.

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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Only one question was taken.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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It is the same question.

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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That was a mistake. I entreat the Deputy. The Ceann Comhairle has arrived and we are moving to Topical Issues.