Paudge Connolly (Cavan-Monaghan, Independent)
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Question 289: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the plans she has for legislation requiring all retail outlets for meat products to clearly label their products with country of origin of the products in the interests of traceability and public health; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30495/06]

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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EU food labelling legislation is harmonised by Council Directive 2000/13/EC, as amended. That directive, as amended, has been transposed into national legislation by the European Communities (Labelling, Presentation and Advertising of Foodstuffs) Regulations 2002 to 2005. These regulations apply to the labelling of pre-packaged foodstuffs for sale to the ultimate consumer, or for supply to mass caterers, and are based on the principle that food labelling should not mislead consumers.

Labelling rules are designed to inform consumers so that they can make informed choices. Currently, origin labelling is not required for pre-packaged food unless its absence misleads the consumer. Thus, for example, where other particulars such as a flag or a map other than that of the country of origin are displayed on a label, the true country of origin must be clearly declared to ensure that the consumer is not misled as to the true origin or provenance of the food.

The European Commission is currently reviewing the horizontal labelling legislation in order to recast and modernise its provisions. My Department has responded to this consultation, suggesting, inter alia, that consideration should be given to the extension of food labelling legislation to provide for a clear indication of the country of origin for all meat and of products made substantially from meat. A legislative proposal from the Commission is awaited and the Deputy will appreciate that as food labelling legislation is harmonised across the Member States, Ireland cannot pre-empt the outcome of the Commission's ongoing review.