Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 364: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will introduce comprehensive and effective regulations regarding an area (details supplied) and ensure full compliance. [21548/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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All beef sold or served in the retail or catering sector is now required by law to carry an indication of country of origin. Primary legislation was enacted by the Oireachtas last year, which extended the compulsory country of origin labelling requirement for beef to the catering sector. The information which must be given on the label includes the registered number of the slaughterhouse or cutting plant and, where imported from a Third Country, an indication of the country of origin.

The general EU food labelling regulations covering all food sold in Ireland require that the information be given clearly, accurately and in a language understood by the consumer. Among these requirements is origin marking in cases where failure to provide such information would be likely to mislead the consumer to a material degree. This legislation comes under the remit of the Department of Health and Children.