Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 131: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the steps she is taking at national and EU level to establish country of origin labelling on all primary food products. [21888/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The Minister for Health and Children has overall responsibility for the general food labelling legislation. Responsibility for enforcement of labelling legislation rests with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) through its service contracts with my Department, the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, the Health Services Executive, the Local Authorities and the National Consumer Agency.

In relation to the particular issue of country of origin labelling, compulsory beef labelling legislation incorporating the origin of this meat has been in place since September 2000. I have already collaborated with the Minister for Health and Children and introduced legislation to ensure that all beef sold or served in the retail or catering sector is now required to carry an indication of the country of origin. This legislation is enforced by the FSAI.

Regarding the labelling of poultry meat, there are EU Regulations which provide for the labelling of unprocessed poultry meat at retail level. The Regulations require such poultry meat to be labelled with the information regarding class, price, condition, registered number of slaughterhouse or cutting plant and, where imported from a Third Country, an indication of country of origin.

In relation to other meats I have signalled my intention to have legislation brought forward to require the country of origin to be shown on poultry meat, pig meat and sheepmeat sold in the retail and catering sectors. A draft of such regulations was prepared by my Department and is currently being finalized by the Department of Health and Children. A public consultation process is currently being conducted. Following consideration of any views received it will be necessary to submit the draft regulations to the European Commission for approval.

The EU Commission is currently reviewing the whole area of food labelling and in that context my Department contributed to Ireland's submission which was co-ordinated by the Department of Health and Children. Within this submission Ireland explained why it felt that origin labelling should be compulsory for all meat. As well as direct contact with the Commission I have also raised this matter in the Agriculture Council. I will continue to press for progress as I believe consumers are entitled to full information on the origin of food products.

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 132: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if her attention has been drawn to the recent survey (details supplied), showing that fewer than one in five consumers here have full confidence in fresh food imported from outside the EU; if she is satisfied with the level of labelling of fresh foodstuffs imported from abroad; her plans for improved labelling; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21782/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The Minister for Health and Children has overall responsibility for the general food labelling legislation. Responsibility for enforcement of labelling legislation rests with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) through its service contracts with my Department, the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, the Health Services Executive, the Local Authorities and the National Consumer Agency.

The survey to which the Deputy is referring was carried out on behalf of Agri Aware in early August 2006. While less than 20% of consumers have confidence in fresh foods imported from non-EU countries, the controls that have been put in place by the EU Commission are intended to ensure that such produce is safe to eat. The Commission has provided assurances that it will take immediate action in the event of any risk posed by imports of foodstuffs to consumer or animal health.

There is a legal obligation to display the country of origin for fresh fruit and vegetables. In the case of the importation of meat and meat products, there are specific requirements that such products must originate from a country approved by the EU, have been produced in an approved establishment and be accompanied by a health certificate in accordance with the provisions of Community legislation and must be presented for inspection at an EU approved Border Inspection Post.

Furthermore, there is compulsory beef labelling legislation in place since September 2000 which stipulates, among other things, that the origin must be placed on the label. There are also EU Regulations in place for poultry meat which provide for the labelling of unprocessed poultry meat at retail level. The Regulations require such poultry meat to be labelled with the information regarding class, price, condition, registered number of the slaughterhouse or cutting plant and, where imported from a Third Country, an indication of country of origin.

I have signalled my intention to have legislation brought forward to require the country of origin to be shown on poultry meat, pig meat and sheepmeat sold in the retail and catering sectors. A draft of such regulations was prepared by my Department and is currently being finalized by the Department of Health and Children. A public consultation process is currently being conducted. Following consideration of any views received it will be necessary to submit the draft regulations to the European Commission for approval.

The EU Commission is currently reviewing the whole area of food labelling and in that context my Department contributed to Ireland's submission which was co-ordinated by the Department of Health and Children. Within this submission Ireland explained why it felt that origin labelling should be compulsory for all meat. As well as direct contact with the Commission, I have also raised this matter in the Agriculture Council. I will continue to press for progress as I believe consumers are entitled to full information on the origin of food products.