Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 32: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will introduce a traceability system for Irish fish catch; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7112/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Fish landed in Ireland is currently traceable through a variety of means including sales notes, landing declarations data, and labelling requirements.

My Department has introduced a comprehensive regime for the collection of sales notes in Ireland since the 1st of January 2007, as required under Council Regulation 2847/1993. Sales notes detail the origin, size, weight, price and date of first sale fish, as well as information about the seller.

Sales notes are cross-referenced with landings data i.e. log-books and landing declarations, and this allows for comprehensive monitoring and control of fish landings into Ireland. The masters of fishing vessels over 10m in length are required to complete standard log books and landing declarations. The log-book records what type of species of fish was caught, which area they were caught in, when they were caught, the quantity caught, and the method used to catch them.

All potential buyers of first sale fish, both national and international, are required to register with the Department if they intend to purchase first sale fish landed into Ireland. A 'registered buyer' is a person, partnership or body corporate that purchases first sale fish. Registration can be completed online via the Sea Fisheries Portal — http://www.fishingnet.ie. Further information can also be found on the BIM website: http://www.bim.ie/salesnotes.

In addition to the monitoring of catches through sales notes and landings data, Ireland has, since July 2003, in accordance with the requirements of Council Regulation 104/2000, a labelling system in place providing traceability information in respect of a wide range of seafood and aquaculture products. SI 335 of 2006 also gives effect to a range of European Communities Food Safety Legislation in respect of Fishery Products and Fish Feed. All food businesses, including seafood businesses are required to have traceability and recall systems in place.