John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 1626: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason Ireland has not adopted a mandatory food policy labelling regime with particular relevance to the importation of chicken fillets which would have a clear brand indicating that the meat in question is of Irish origin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31160/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The Minister for Health & Children has overall responsibility for the general food labelling legislation.

In relation to poultry meat, there are EU Regulations 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 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 pigmeat products, poultry products and sheep meat products. 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 is 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 was forwarded to the Commission and the Department expects a reply shortly.