Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 69: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food her plans to establish an All Ireland food label; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23619/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I am supportive of initiatives to promote food on all-island basis where this is of mutual benefit and leads to closer economic co-operation. An Bord Bia, as part of its statutory role in promoting the development of Ireland's food and drink industry works in close co-operation with its counterpart in Northern Ireland, Invest Northern Ireland (INI). Joint promotions and events have been successfully organised especially in the speciality food sector. Bord Bia is currently discussing a formal Inter Agency Agreement to provide for structured ongoing co-operation in food promotion at International Trade Fairs, retail promotions on the UK market, co-operation on developing the speciality sector on an all island basis and market research and intelligence.

The development of an all-island animal health policy is however a necessary prerequisite to the establishment of an all-island food label. The development of the animal health policy is being actively pursued in the context of North/South cooperation. In addition an all-island food label would require negotiation between the relevant authorities regarding its status and conditions for use and general acceptance from consumers and buy-in by producers and processors island-wide.