Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)

I thank Senators for their contributions. This new section will initially allow for the making of national regulations that will expand the beef labelling currently required under EU legislation to include the provision of information on the country of origin of beef to the consumer at his or her point of choice. That should be welcomed by consumers and the food industry because it means, for example, that a person ordering beef in a restaurant will be able to learn where the meat comes from by reading the menu.

The amendment will also allow for the subsequent extension of the requirement to provide country of origin information on other meats, such as poultry, pork and mutton. It is anticipated that this initiative will commence at retail level and progress in due course to the restaurant and catering sectors. However, this is not a straightforward matter but will involve considerable complexity, as well as approval at EU level. The latter may be difficult to secure because the requirements on country of origin labelling of these meats at EU level are different from and less comprehensive than those for beef and there is no precedent for this provision in any other member state.