Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Approval of countries to trade with the EU is a matter for the EU Commission and the EU Commissioner for Health has assured me that the Commission will not hesitate to take the appropriate protection measures if a product, imported from a third country represents a risk for the health of EC consumers, livestock or plants. In this context the EU Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) is to carry out a further mission to Brazil in November to assess progress in the implementation and operation of controls by the competent authorities in that country.

Consumers are entitled to information on the country of origin of beef. For this reason I collaborated with the Minister for Health & Children to ensure the introduction of legislation providing that beef sold or served in the retail or catering sector must carry an indication of the country of origin. Responsibility for enforcement of this legislation rests with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI).