Feargal Quinn (Independent)

Having raised a matter on a number of occasions in the House, I am pleased the British are listening to me and taking action on the issue. I refer to the large amount of wasted food. Information alone can help to address this problem. A number of labels are used on supermarket foods and I take responsibility for my role in this area in the past. They are "use by", "sell by" and "best before". It is clear that products featuring the "sell by" and "best before" labels are capable of being eaten after the date printed on the label, although they may no longer have the flavour the producer would like. A large number of consumers throw such products out when they can still be consumed and the amount of food being wasted as a result is a scandal. People should be reminded that the date featured on the "use by" label is the only one that must be strictly adhered to. I read this morning that the British would introduce legislation or provide information - I am not sure which - to ensure consumers focused on "use by" dates rather than the other two. I mention this because a large amount of food is being wasted when people are dying around the world as a result of the lack of food. We can do something about this and may be that information rather than legislation is required.

I raise one other topic, namely, the treatment of horses. My attention has been drawn to the inability of an individual to obtain a response to a query submitted on foot of concerns about the treatment of racehorses. The person in question has sought information from the Taoiseach, the Turf Club, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and Horse Racing Ireland on a number of racehorses which have died but is unable to ascertain who has responsibility for this issue. I will pass on the information in my possession. I ask that the Minister reply to the individual concerned, clear up any doubt about who is responsible and put the individual's mind at rest.