Written answers
Tuesday, 16 October 2007
Department of Agriculture and Food
Food Labelling
10:00 pm
Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 390: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason regulations governing the country of origin of beef labelling for caterers are not also to be applied to all wholesale and retail outlets of beef. [23469/07]
Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The labelling of beef is governed by comprehensive EU regulations, which were introduced in 2000, and is underpinned by a full national animal identification and traceability system. The compulsory elements of these regulations require operators involved in the marketing of beef to provide country of origin information, at each stage of the marketing process, on all beef sold, up to and including retail level. These legislative requirements did not extend, however, to the point of final consumption, be that in a hotel, restaurant or catering establishment.
As part of the Government's commitment to protecting consumer interests, through the provision of information enabling the consumer to make more informed choices, regulations extending country of origin information on beef to these sectors were introduced in 2006.
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