Kathryn Reilly (Sinn Fein)

On the same issue, I welcome the recent passing of legislation to extend country-of-origin labelling. On Senator Feargal Quinn's points regarding added value along the food chain, my concern is that the longer the food chain, the greater the chance that something will go wrong. If a commodity is travelling through several countries and value is being added along the way, there is a greater risk to the consumer by the time he or she purchases that product. Does the Department propose to take any further action in regard to country-of-origin labelling, particularly in respect of substantial transformation?

In regard to poultry, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland carried out a survey in December 2008 to examine the quality of raw chicken sold loose in butchers and other retailers. It found that 8% of this produce had no sell-by date and in 23% of cases, the use-by date was unrealistically distant if the product were to remain unspoiled in the consumer's fridge. The survey also found that imported poultry is often flushed with carbon dioxide to extend its shelf life artificially. Is any action proposed to be taken to ensure information is readily available to consumers in respect of raw poultry products which are sold loose?