Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 374: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food her plans to introduce country of origin for the labelling of pig meat; the measures she is taking at EU level to address the issue of substantial transformation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26074/07]

Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 380: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the plans she has to introduce country of origin for the labelling of pig meat; the measures she is taking at EU level to address the issue of substantial transformation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26114/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 374 and 380 together.

Draft regulations requiring the origin labelling of pigmeat, poultrymeat and sheepmeat were prepared in my Department and forwarded to the Department of Health and Children as the Regulations will be made under the Health Act 1947. A public consultation on the proposed regulations took place during the past month via the website of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland. The consultation period has now passed and comments will be examined and the proposed legislation will be reviewed in the light of these comments. This process will take approximately three weeks. Thereafter the draft legislation will have to be forwarded to the European Commission for approval. The commencement date for the legislation will depend on the Commission's response and possibly that of other Member States.

In the proposed legislation 'origin' will be defined as the country where the animal was reared and, if different, the country of slaughter. This will have to be indicated on meat and meat products containing over 70% meat. Regardless of the nature, extent or location of processing or packaging that has gone into the manufacture of the product the requirement to show actual country of rearing and slaughter of the animal will remain in place and this will not be superseded by any 'substantial transformation'.

The concept of substantial transformation is the basis used throughout the EU and elsewhere to define the origin of goods as being from the country where the last substantial economic change was made to them. In my view it should not be used to disguise the origin of certain products or to mislead the consumer as to the origin of raw materials. Last year, the Health and Consumer Protection Directorate of the European Commission undertook a consultative process with a view to reviewing food labelling legislation. In its submission to the Commission, Ireland recommended that the term "substantial transformation" should be strictly interpreted. It is essential that this process should not be used to hide the true origin of products and that labelling systems be adapted to ensure that consumers are not misled as regards the true provenance of food. The EU Commission is expected to present a proposal on labelling in December. I will continue to press for provisions that ensure full transparency for the consumer.