Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 14: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if her attention has been drawn to a survey carried out by the Irish Farmer's Association which showed that two-thirds of respondents felt misled when it was revealed that some traditional Irish labels did not contain 100% Irish meat; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30096/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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This survey was carried out by the IFA at the recent Ploughing Championships. It confirms my concerns about the labelling of the origin of meat which I have frequently referred to in this House and indeed have brought up at European Commission level.

I am a strong supporter of the Quality Assurance Schemes operated by Bord Bia. These schemes, which are voluntary, offer the consumer assurances on quality and information on origin and are backed up by independent audits. Members of the scheme can use the Quality Assurance logo on products sourced from quality assured farms. A range of meats products is now covered by these voluntary Bord Bia schemes.

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 Sea Fisheries Protection Authority, Marine and Natural Resources, the Health Services Executive, the Local Authorities and the National Consumer Agency.

EU beef labelling legislation requiring country of origin labelling of beef has been in place since September 2000. As this legislation did not cover beef sold by the catering trade I collaborated with the Minister for Health and Children to have national legislation enacted to require 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 poultrymeat, there are EU Regulations which provide for the labelling of unprocessed poultrymeat at retail level. The Regulations require such poultrymeat 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 poultrymeat, pigmeat and sheepmeat sold in the retail and catering sectors. A draft of such regulations was prepared by my Department and is currently being finalised by the Department of Health and Children. A public consultation process has taken place. Following consideration of any views received it will be necessary to submit the draft regulations to the European Commission for approval.

There is also the issue where a primary product can enter Ireland and processed in some way thereby allowing it to be branded as an Irish product is known as "substantial transformation". This terminology originates in WTO, Codex and EU legislation governing the EU Customs Code and therefore can only be amended at EU level. I have been concerned that this arrangement could, in certain circumstances, be used to mislead the consumers as to the origin of the raw materials used in certain products. I am not satisfied with the current legal position and have raised my concerns at EU Council level.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 15: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she is satisfied that the labelling of all meat and meat products sold here accurately reflect the country of origin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30277/07]

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 Sea Fisheries Protection Authority, the Health Services Executive, the Local Authorities and the National Consumer Agency.

EU beef labelling legislation requiring country of origin labelling of beef has been in place since September 2000. As this legislation did not cover beef sold by the catering trade I collaborated with the Minister for Health and Children to have national legislation enacted to require 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 poultrymeat, there are EU Regulations which provide for the labelling of unprocessed poultrymeat at retail level. The Regulations require such poultrymeat 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 poultrymeat, pigmeat and sheepmeat sold in the retail and catering sectors. A draft of such regulations was prepared by my Department and is currently being finalised by the Department of Health and Children. A public consultation on the proposed regulations has recently taken on the website of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland. The proposed legislation is being reviewed in the light of comments received and will be forwarded to the EU Commission. 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 misleading interpretation of the 'substantial transformation' concept.