Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 30: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if her attention has been drawn to the failure of an Irish food group to place the origin Ireland logo on their ham products leading to confusion among consumers who want to buy quality assured and traceable ham; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30095/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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In an effort to ensure that consumers have full information on origin of food products, 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.

The Bord Bia Quality Assurance Schemes are voluntary and plants that are members of the schemes can use the logo on product sourced from Quality Assured farms. Bord Bia promotes and encourages the use of the logo, which provides consumers with assurances on quality and information on origin. However, it remains a voluntary scheme.

There is food safety legislation in place to obligate all food business operators to trace the food they are handling, that is to know where the product came from and to whom it is being sent.

The Minister for Health & Children has overall responsibility for the general food labelling legislation. Responsibility for enforcement of labelling legislation and food safety 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.