Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 518: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food when she intends to introduce a distinct green label for Irish food; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25861/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I firmly believe that the customer is entitled to full information on the food they purchase. I am glad to say that only yesterday, new extended beef labelling rules came into operation in Ireland that require hotels, restaurants, pubs providing food and effectively all catering establishments and food service outlets to give information on the country of origin of the beef they serve. This new labelling provision will benefit everyone in the supply chain, from the farmer right through to the end customer. The new Regulations now applying in the catering sector are in addition to the already very comprehensive provisions which apply at retail level.

In general I am supportive of any initiative and I take every opportunity to promote Irish food. While a distinctive public funded or part funded national label would contravene State aid rules, I am examining whether any possibility for a distinctive label on an all-island basis might be possible under EU rules.

I should point out, however, that the development of an all-island animal health policy is 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 co-operation. 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.