Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Senator for raising this important matter. I take the Adjournment on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Mary Harney.

I welcome the opportunity to set out the current position in regard to the labelling of alcohol products in Ireland. Labelling is one of the key elements of food and drink safety. It provides the consumer with the information necessary to make healthy choices regarding consumption. In this regard, alcohol labelling is of paramount importance.

The dangers of excessive alcohol consumption are well-documented. For example, earlier this year a report entitled "The Coombe Women's Hospital Study of Alcohol, Smoking and Illicit Drug Use 1988-2005" was launched. The results of this study in regard to alcohol consumption among pregnant mothers were a huge concern given the growing evidence and research into the link between alcohol and foetal alcohol spectrum disorders. The particular pattern and prevalence of binge drinking among the female population of child-bearing age in Ireland significantly increased the likelihood of harm being caused to a developing foetus.

Legislation on food and drink labelling is developed within the European Union regulatory framework. Directive 2000/13/EC, as amended. It provides the legislative framework for the information that must be indicated on the labelling of foodstuffs for sale to the ultimate consumer. The scope of the directive encompasses all foodstuffs, which includes alcoholic beverages. Its aim is to ensure that the consumer gets all the essential information as regards the composition of the product, the manufacturer, methods of storage, preparation and so on. Producers and manufacturers are free to provide whatever additional information they wish, provided it is accurate and does not mislead the consumer.

With regard to alcoholic beverages, allergens must be labelled as well as alcoholic strength for beverages with alcohol content greater than 1.2% by volume. Currently, the listing of ingredients is not required for alcoholic beverages. However, the legislation states the intention to bring forward rules for the labelling of the ingredients of alcoholic beverages. Thus, the derogation from the requirement to list ingredients is a temporary one.

The European Commission is currently reviewing labelling legislation in order to recast and modernise its provisions. The labelling of alcoholic beverages will of course be considered in the context of this review. The objective will be to address the lack of obligation upon the producer to label the ingredients of alcohol. The Commission has also indicated that the review will explore the feasibility and viability of using warning labels on the containers of alcoholic beverages to raise awareness on the harmful effect of alcohol on health.

In February 2006 member states were invited to make submissions on an EU consultative document entitled "Labelling, Competitiveness, Consumer Information and Better Regulation for the EU". As part of the consultation process, member states were asked to consider whether health warnings on alcoholic beverages could be an effective means to inform consumers about risks associated with inappropriate consumption of alcohol. At the request of the Department of Health and Children, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland undertook a public consultation exercise. The observations received assisted in developing the Irish response to the questions raised. The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food was also consulted, as it is responsible at national level for some directives relating to foodstuffs.

The Department of Health and Children responded to the Commission consultation, suggesting, inter alia, that the script on labels on alcohol products should be of sufficient size to allow for general readability and be clear so that the reference to light products would distinguish between light in calories and light in alcohol; labels should list ingredients and display calorie content; and an indication of origin should be compulsory on all spirits. The response also noted that the strategic task force on alcohol in 2004 recommended that a health warning label be placed on all alcohol products and alcohol promotional materials. It was suggested that the concept of health warnings on alcoholic beverages be further developed following the publication of the EU alcohol strategy in 2006.

It is expected the Commission will issue a draft labelling regulation in December of this year. Member states will then be given an opportunity to debate this document at length. The Department of Health and Children is committed to robustly advocating the benefits of the points raised in our submission. We would expect that the developments which I have outlined to the House will ensure a comprehensive approach to food and beverage labelling will be achieved.