Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 62: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if the voluntary code for country of origin labelling within the catering trade has been successful; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18819/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The general food labelling legislation comes within the remit of the Department of Health & Children. My Department has responsibility for specific labelling regulations such as the labelling of beef. It is governed by comprehensive EU regulations that were introduced in 2000 and is underpinned by a full national cattle identification and traceability system. However, these labelling requirements only apply as far as retail level. Primary legislation to allow for the extension of these regulations to the catering sector was enacted by the Oireachtas in March 2006 by way of an amendment to the Health Act 1947. Following consultation with the FSAI, my Department has submitted the necessary draft Beef Regulations to the Department of Health and Children. It is expected that the Regulations will be in place this summer.

The amended Heath Act 1947 will also facilitate the extension of country of origin labelling to all meats including poultrymeat. The EU Commission, however, is opposed to Member States introducing legislation on compulsory labelling that is over and above the common EU requirement. There would also be serious challenges in the implementation and enforcement of national legislation in the absence of harmonised EU provisions due to such factors as the amount of processing and repackaging operations that poultry in particular may be subjected to before arrival in this country. Therefore, the preferable way forward is that the EU Commission would progress the question of origin labelling of poultry. I have raised this issue with Commissioner Kyprianou and am taking every opportunity to press for progress on the matter. I will also raise this matter in the context of the current EU review of food labelling.

It is my intention that if no action is taken at EU level, I will put forward proposals for the extension of country of origin labelling on all meats at retail and catering levels here and to submit such proposals for EU approval.

Pending completion of the Regulations, the bodies representing the hotels, restaurants and vintners agreed to recommend to their members to provide country of origin information on a voluntary basis in respect of the beef served in their premises. An assessment of the effect of this voluntary action has not been carried out. In any event, the introduction of the mandatory requirements which will be enforced by FSAI, are now at an advanced stage and are expected to be in place this summer.