Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail)

I will begin by outlining a definition of what food safety means. The international agreed definition of it is the concept that food will not cause harm to the consumer when it is prepared or eaten according to its intended use. Food safety is of critical importance. All the talk in this country about our economic regeneration is around the Food Harvest 2020 report and what this country can do to meet the increasing demand for food globally. If we are to fulfil our potential, the safety of the food we produce is crucial to satisfying international demand. From a food safety point of view, Ireland is in a very strong position, particularly in respect of the commodity products we produce and export. Meat, dairy and fish products were worth €8 billion and we also produce and export drinks. Traceability of all produce in this country is first class, our processing facilities are of a very high standard, staff hygiene training standards are excellent and product processing and testing regimes are strictly enforced by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

The FSAI does very good work. There has been some criticism of the FSAI due to its handling of the pork dioxin recall, which cost approximately €400 million. Perhaps the authority jumped in too soon but they are damned if they do and likewise if they do not. Overall, the manner in which it was handled won acclaim for the FSAI. We must pay tribute to the staff for the work they do.

My background is as a food technologist employed in the food safety sector. What frightens me most about food safety in Ireland is our exposure if a German or Spanish cucumber issue emerges in Ireland and affects our food exports. What would be the knock-on effects if it affected our beef sector and the Irish economy? A comment made recently by an EU food safety expert that "food in Europe has never been safer", is open to question when one considers the German cucumber incident.

We can be fickle when we think back to ten years ago and a rogue trader or importer caused the foot and mouth outbreak in the Cooley Peninsula. We are open to exposure and one such incident could bring down the deck of cards and cause major problems for the implementation of what we are trying to achieve in the Food Harvest 2020 report and to our economic recovery.

This country has incredibly high standards for food premises, which are rigidly enforced. Some say enforcement is too rigid but these standards tend to put barriers in front of smaller producers in a regional setting. The criteria may be too stringent on a region to region basis. The Department should set up a forum to assist those who want to establish food businesses. There should be a pathway for those people rather than barriers. The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food spoke about breaking down barriers and how civil servants dealing with food safety will make it easier for these people. The Minister of State might reflect on these comments and respond to the comments of the Minister.

The new term in the global context is food defence, which is an American term that refers to defending the problem before it begins. We spoke about the Food Harvest 2020 report, the objectives and the increase in the global demand for food, of 50% by 2030 and 70% by 2050. The demand this will place on the industry, the demands placed on food safety and the additional demand on the Department and the FSAI are the challenges we must meet as a country. We must ensure there is no compromise on the safety of additional production. Otherwise, we leave ourselves vulnerable. Senator Reilly may address food labelling and I would love to discuss it in detail. It is a massive area and, if we run out of time, we could have another discussion on it. It is an important aspect of economic growth and Food Harvest 2020. Labelling is crucial. I agree with Senator O'Keeffe on the British model. We should examine the model of being in isolation to Europe, jumping the gun prior to getting formal approval from Europe.