Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 97: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied with the level of labelling of fresh foodstuffs imported from abroad; if he has plans for improved labelling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19654/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The Minister for Health & 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 Service Executive, the Local Authorities and the National Consumer Agency.

In terms of fresh fruit and vegetables, there is a legal obligation to display the country of origin for fresh fruit and vegetables. The EU currently has 36 specific marketing standards covering various fresh fruit and vegetables. Apart from quality criteria these standards also set down strict provisions regarding labelling; these include country of origin. The Agricultural Inspectorate in my Department ensures these standards are met. The EU Commission is currently reforming the Common Organisation of the Market for fruit and vegetables with the objectives of simplification, reduction in legislative burdens, consumer protection and transparency in trade. As part of this process, it is intended that a number of the existing 36 specific standards will to be replaced by a general standard. Under this General Standard produce must be of sound, fair and of marketable quality. While this reform is not yet completed, I am satisfied the proposed General Standard will still set down sufficiently detailed provisions regarding labelling.

In the case of the importation of meat and meat products, there are specific requirements that such products must originate from a country approved by the EU, have been produced in an approved establishment and be accompanied by a health certificate in accordance with the provisions of Community legislation; in addition such products must be presented for inspection at an EU approved Border Inspection Post. Furthermore, there is compulsory beef labelling legislation in place since September 2000 which stipulates, among other things, that the origin must be placed on the label. There are also EU Regulations in place for poultry meat, which provide for the labelling of unprocessed poultry meat at retail level. The Regulations require such poultry meat to be labelled with the information regarding class, price, condition, registered number of the slaughterhouse or cutting plant and, where imported from a Third Country, an indication of country of origin.

My Department, in conjunction with the Department of Health and Children, drafted regulations that would require the country of origin to be indicated on pig meat, poultry and sheep meat. This was notified to the EU Commission in December 2007 as required by legislation. The Commission was not prepared to adopt the draft regulations in their present format on the grounds that the proposed legislation in not in compliance with EU food labelling regulations. However, it indicated that it would reconsider the draft measures once we have submitted additional explanatory information. This information is currently being prepared for transmission to the Commission.

The EU Commission reviewed the whole area of food labelling and in that context my Department contributed to Ireland's submission which was co-ordinated by the Department of Health & Children. The Commission subsequently brought forward a proposal for a regulation on the provision of food information to consumers. This draft regulation will be examined by Council of Health Ministers and the European Parliament under the co-decision procedure. The FSAI proposes to initiate public consultation on this proposal from July to October this year.