John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 297: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the measures she proposes to ensure the enforcement of food labelling and traceability regulations in the food processing, retailing and catering sectors; her views on whether the failure to carry out such enforcement undermines the stringent traceability regime implemented by the farming sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7451/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Stringent traceability systems are implemented by my Department in respect of animal products produced in Ireland enabling the agri-food sector to provide assurances sought on domestic and export markets. Any breaches of food labelling requirements would be a matter of concern and for this reason the enforcement of all food labelling regulations has been centralised in the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, FSAI. This is carried out through a number service contracts between the FSAI and other Departments and agencies, including my Department.

An enabling provision to allow for the extension of existing comprehensive beef labelling regulations to include a requirement for information on the country of origin of beef to be provided to the consumer at the point of choice, by establishments in the retail, restaurant and catering sectors, including food business operators, is before the Oireachtas by way of a proposed amendment to section 54 of the Health Act 1947 through the Irish Medicines Board (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2005.

My Department is well advanced in drafting the consequential beef regulations that will be required and is in consultation with the Department of Health and Children and the FSAI on the details, including enforcement. While the regulations must then be submitted for EU approval, it is hoped this process will not delay the making of the final regulations. In the meantime, the representative bodies for hotels, restaurants and pubs have agreed to recommend to their members to provide the information on a voluntary basis.